Exactly 32 Years Ago on October 31st (1984), Two Sikh Bodyguards have killed Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by opening fire. While Indira was stepping out of her official residence in Sapdarganz Singh at 9.20 AM, Satwant Singh and Biyanth Singh fired 30 rounds of bullet using the automatic weapons. About 20 bullets have pierced Indira's body and came out from the other side, 7 of them got struck in her body and 3 others missed her completely. Indira was rushed to AIIMS in Delhi immediately. Doctors have confirmed her death by 2.20 PM. By evening, The whole country came to know about it through Doordarshan.
On the day of Indira Gandi's assassination took place, Rajiv Gandhi was touring West Bengal and President Gnani Jail Singh was in a foreign tour. Home Minister PV Narasimha Rao was in Delhi at that time. Rajiv reached Delhi by 4 pm and President came to the capital by 5 pm. Within an hour, Rajiv Gandhi took charge as Prime Minister with Presidents approval.
Attacks on Sikhs began from the evening itself. A series of attacks took place on Sikhs in Delhi and other parts of the country. In Delhi alone, Around 2,100 sikhs have been killed. The death toll stood at 2,800 all over the country. As per the unofficial figures, As many as 3,000 sikhs were hacked to death in the Nation's capital and countrywide count is upto to 8,000.
Eminent Writer Pathwant Singh came to know about Indira Gandhi's death by 10 AM on October 31st. Soon, He made a call to Lt.General Jaggeeth Singh to inform him. Then, Indian air force marshal Arjun Singh, Reired brigadier Sukhjeeth Singh and Gurucharan Singh came to know about it. About five sikh prominent personalities immediately met President seeking deployment of Army. But, President told he doesn't have the powers to do so and suggested them to contact Home Minister. HM PV got convinced and agreed to use the services of army. Army swung into action on November 2nd and since then no. of attacks have drastically fallen. Sikh Community believes thousands of people mayn't have lost their lives had if Army was deployed on Oct 31st itself.
When quizzed about the massacre, Rajiv Gandhi commented that there will be repercussions when a giant tree collapses.
On the day of Indira Gandi's assassination took place, Rajiv Gandhi was touring West Bengal and President Gnani Jail Singh was in a foreign tour. Home Minister PV Narasimha Rao was in Delhi at that time. Rajiv reached Delhi by 4 pm and President came to the capital by 5 pm. Within an hour, Rajiv Gandhi took charge as Prime Minister with Presidents approval.
Attacks on Sikhs began from the evening itself. A series of attacks took place on Sikhs in Delhi and other parts of the country. In Delhi alone, Around 2,100 sikhs have been killed. The death toll stood at 2,800 all over the country. As per the unofficial figures, As many as 3,000 sikhs were hacked to death in the Nation's capital and countrywide count is upto to 8,000.
Eminent Writer Pathwant Singh came to know about Indira Gandhi's death by 10 AM on October 31st. Soon, He made a call to Lt.General Jaggeeth Singh to inform him. Then, Indian air force marshal Arjun Singh, Reired brigadier Sukhjeeth Singh and Gurucharan Singh came to know about it. About five sikh prominent personalities immediately met President seeking deployment of Army. But, President told he doesn't have the powers to do so and suggested them to contact Home Minister. HM PV got convinced and agreed to use the services of army. Army swung into action on November 2nd and since then no. of attacks have drastically fallen. Sikh Community believes thousands of people mayn't have lost their lives had if Army was deployed on Oct 31st itself.
When quizzed about the massacre, Rajiv Gandhi commented that there will be repercussions when a giant tree collapses.