New Delhi: India on Wednesday remembered former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 34th death anniversary, with leaders across party lines paying homage to the late leader, who was assassinated on May 21, 1991, in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
PM Modi Pays Tribute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X to offer his respects, writing:
“On his death anniversary today, I pay my tributes to our former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji.”
Rahul Gandhi Vows to Fulfil His Father’s Dreams
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi’s son, shared an emotional post, reaffirming his commitment to fulfilling his father’s vision.
“Papa, your memories guide me at every step. My resolution is to make your unfulfilled dreams come true — and I will definitely fulfill them,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X.
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and other party leaders paid floral tributes at Veer Bhumi, the memorial site dedicated to the former Prime Minister in Delhi.
Kharge Highlights Rajiv Gandhi’s Legacy
In his tribute, Mallikarjun Kharge called Rajiv Gandhi “a great son of India” and lauded his visionary leadership, crediting him with preparing India for the 21st century.
“Rajiv Gandhi inspired hope among millions of Indians. His visionary and courageous interventions include lowering the voting age to 18, strengthening Panchayati Raj, spearheading the Telecom and IT revolution, launching a universal immunisation program, and a new inclusive education policy,” Kharge posted on X.
A Leader of Modern India
Rajiv Gandhi assumed leadership of the Congress party in 1984 after the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. At age 40, he became India’s youngest Prime Minister, serving from October 1984 to December 1989.
Under his tenure, Rajiv Gandhi introduced landmark reforms in technology, education, and local governance, laying the groundwork for India’s future in the digital and global economy.
Assassination and Legacy
Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, on May 21, 1991.
His death shocked the nation and marked one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history. Despite his tragic end, leaders and citizens alike continue to remember him for his contributions to shaping modern India.
Nation Remembers
Across India, political figures, party workers, and citizens paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi, reflecting on his reforms, idealism, and vision for a progressive and empowered India.