On October 31, 1984, the world mourned the sudden and violent end to Indira Gandhi's life. Just a day before her assassination, she had prophetically expressed her fear of a violent end while addressing a public gathering. Despite the risks, she proudly dedicated her life to serving her people. However, the next morning, just as she was going about her packed schedule, she was suddenly shot by two of her bodyguards.
Indira Gandhi: A Legacy of Leadership and Tragedy
Indira Gandhi, India's first female Prime Minister, left an indelible mark on the nation's history both through her transformative policies and her untimely demise.
Background
Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917, into a politically prominent family. As Jawaharlal Nehru's daughter, she witnessed the struggle for Indian independence firsthand. After India gained independence in 1947, she became actively involved in politics.
In 1966, Gandhi was elected Prime Minister, becoming India's first female head of government. During her tenure, she implemented several policies that significantly shaped Indian society and economy. These included:
Assassination
On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh. The motive was believed to be related to her decision to send the army into the Golden Temple, the Sikhs' holiest shrine, to quell a separatist movement.
Gandhi's assassination sent shockwaves through India and the world. It sparked widespread violence against Sikhs, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people.
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In a press conference, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi unveiled evidence showing a widespread conspiracy to delete voters from electoral rolls in India. He presented examples and detailed data indicating that the alleged operations were carried out through automated systems and coordinated at a centralized level. Gandhi claimed that these tactics were used to manipulate elections in several states, and also accused the Election Commission of facilitating this voter deletion.
During a press conference, Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of aiding the suppression of votes belonging to marginalized communities like Dalits and minorities. The Election Commission denied the allegations, stating that no vote can be deleted online without proper procedures and investigation. However, the poll body did acknowledge failed attempts to delete votes in Karnataka's Aland constituency in 2023 and an FIR has been filed to investigate. The Congress leader claimed that the Election Commission is purposely obstructing investigations to hide the truth about these deletions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again stirred up controversy by accusing the BJP and Election Commission of systematic voter fraud through manipulation of electoral rolls. In response, BJP MP Anurag Thakur fired back, accusing Gandhi of spreading baseless allegations and undermining democracy. The Election Commission has dismissed all of Gandhi's claims, citing that no voter's name can be deleted through online means without proper procedure.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi is set to address a press conference on Thursday, where he is expected to present evidence of alleged vote theft in Indian elections. Gandhi has been vocal about the issue in previous speeches, accusing the government of using unfair means to form their power. He also claimed that the Election Commission is working in collaboration with the ruling party. The Congress promised to provide proof to back their claims and expose corruption in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in Karnataka.
The centre has directed the removal of 138 YouTube videos and 83 Instagram posts related to Adani, citing a Delhi court order. The move comes amid ongoing disputes over the Adani Group's involvement in various projects. This action has been met with criticism, with some questioning the government's interference in online content.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi revealed that the party has uncovered over 6,000 voter deletions in Aland constituency, Karnataka, ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections. According to their investigation, these deletions were not random or accidental but specifically targeted booths where the party was performing strongly. The deletions were carried out through fake applications and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka, raising concerns of an organized effort to manipulate the election process. Congress is calling for a thorough investigation to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of protecting those involved in "vote chori" (vote stealing) and undermining democracy. He cited recent instances of voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland and fraudulent additions in Maharashtra's Rajura as evidence of systematic targeting of Congress voters. Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi urged for a fair and transparent election process to uphold the principles of democracy.
Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, held a news conference and claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner is protecting those who are destroying the Constitution and democracy in India. He also alleged that a group of people is systematically cutting the votes of minority groups who vote for the Congress party. In response, politicians from different parties have dismissed his accusations and stated that he is making these statements out of desperation and frustration.
United States President Donald Trump has expressed delight at the suspension of ABC's late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, following backlash against his comments on the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Trump criticized Kimmel's talent and ratings, calling him a "total loser" and "Fake News" host. The show will reportedly be replaced by other ABC programs and has been taken off air indefinitely. This comes after Kimmel addressed the killing of Kirk during a monologue and condemned attempts to politicize the case.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday, various ministers, politicians, and private companies took out expensive advertisements in English newspapers to wish him. The Times of India had the most ads, followed by The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The Hindu. Some advertisements were placed by lesser-known politicians and political parties, while companies and trade associations also joined in to greet the PM. One advertisement even detailed the achievements of PM Modi in seven milestones.