Indira Gandhi Assassination: How National & International Media Covered The Killing of Former Indian PM

On October 31, 1984, former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. Satwant Singh and Beant Singh assassinated Indira Gandhi to avenge the Operation Blue Star conducted by the Indian Army to flush out extremists from the Golden Temple. In the military operation, the holy shrine was damaged, creating resentment among the Sikh community. Mann Ki Baat: PM Narendra Modi Pays Homage to Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The former Indian PM was assassinated almost four months after the Operation Blue Star. Indira Gandhi’s assassination became a subject of intense media coverage, not only nationally but also on a global scale. Gandhi’s assassination made to the front pages of every leading newspaper across the globe. Operation Blue Star 35th Anniversary: All About The Military Action in Golden Temple to Flush Out Insurgents.

Here Are Headlines of Some Prominent Newspapers:

The Times of India: "Nation Morns Indira"

The Indian Express: "Indira Gandhi Shot Dead - Attack by Security Men"

The New York Times: "Indira Gandhi Assassinated by Gunmen -Police seal 2 Areas as Crowd Gathers"

The Washington Post: "Gunmen Assassinate Prime Minister Gandhi"

Northern India Patrika: Mrs. Gandhi Shot Dead, Succumbs to 16-Bullet Injury by Security Men"

After the operation, Sikhs were removed from her security, but she ordered the Special Protection Group to reinstate her Sikh bodyguards, including Beant and Satwant. Beant was reported to be her personal favourite. On October 31, 1984, at about 9:20 am Gandhi was on her way to be interviewed by British actor Peter Ustinov. When she was walking through the garden of the Prime Minister's Residence at No. 1 Safdarjung Road in New Delhi towards the neighbouring 1 Akbar Road office, near the wicket gate, the two men opened fire. Emergency Declaration By Indira Gandhi: A Look Back At June 25, 1975.

According to reports, Beant fired three rounds into her abdomen from his .38 revolver, then Satwant fired 30 rounds from his Sten submachine gun after she had fallen to the ground. After killing Gandhi, both men dropped their weapon. Beant was killed by Gandhi’s security, while Satwant was captured. Gandhi was taken to the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences in New Delhi where doctors operated on her. She was declared dead at 2:20 pm. After her assassination, Anti-Sikh riots took place in Delhi. According to a government estimate, around 2,800 Sikhs were killed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 31, 2019 08:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).