Journalism of Courage
Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi, son of Indira Gandhi, served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984-1989 before he was assassinated by the LTTE terrorists in 1991. Rajiv became a professional pilot with Air India in 1966 and stayed away from politics for a long time. He finally entered politics in 1980 after the death of his brother Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crash. He was made the prime minister after his mother was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards and immediately after he assumed the office, anti-Sikh riots broke out in the country. During this time, Rajiv delivered an infamous address in which, referring to the riots, he said: "when a big tree falls, earth shakes." His tenure as the prime minister saw other controversies including Bofors scandal, Shah Bano case and intervention in Sri Lanka. He was posthumously awarded country's highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna in 1991.
RAJIV GANDHI NEWS
September 17, 1985, Forty Years Ago: PM on terrorism
September 17, 2025 7:06 am
The Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, sought votes for the Congress (I) in the Punjab elections for eliminating the menace of terrorism and ensuring peace and prosperity.
Cong leader remembers Rajiv Gandhi's role in building ties with US, China
August 20, 2025 2:03 pm
The Congress general secretary also paid tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on his 81st birth anniversary.
The night Rajiv Gandhi was killed: A journalist remembers
July 14, 2025 7:09 pm
‘You must be joking’ was my first reaction
Rajiv Gandhi's own loyalists tried to 'derail and manipulate' assassination investigation: Real-life investigator played by Amit Sial barred any interference
July 09, 2025 11:43 am
DR Karthikeyan, who led the Special Investigation Team tasked with bringing Rajiv Gandhi's assailants to justice, had spoken about the challenges he faced in an old interview.
How Rajiv Gandhi’s decision to send troops to Sri Lanka cost him his life
July 08, 2025 1:15 pm
Here is the story of the disastrous Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan civil war which lead to the deaths of more than a 1,000 Indian soldiers and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.
The Hunt - The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case review: Gripping series gives ringside view of CBI investigation, hews close to what happened
July 04, 2025 2:41 pm
The Hunt - The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case review: Amit Sial-Sahil Vaid show is a welcome addition to shows looking back at recent times, which attempt to pin-point historical and political flashpoints in India with archival documentary footage.
June 18, 1985, Forty Years Ago: US Assures India
June 18, 2025 7:20 am
The US government has assured India that it will take every step to see that Pakistan does not produce a nuclear weapon. PM Rajiv Gandhi said the assurance came during his talks with US President Ronald Reagan and other leaders on Pakistan’s plan to produce a nuclear weapon.
June 14, 1985, Forty Years Ago: PM Calls For Peace
June 14, 2025 7:08 am
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made an appeal for peace and disarmament and regretted that concessional assistance for developing countries was drying up at a time when it was needed most.
June 13, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Rajiv Gandhi In US
June 13, 2025 7:41 am
This is the front page of The Indian Express published on June 13, 1985.
Rajesh Khanna recalled he 'couldn't say no' to Rajiv Gandhi's smile when he asked him to contest elections: 'Ab aur kya filmein karni hain, bahut hogaya'
June 09, 2025 4:42 pm
In an old interview, late actor Rajesh Khanna had opened up about how he couldn't turn down Rajiv Gandhi when he asked him to contest elections.
RAJIV GANDHI PHOTOS
Remembering Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary
May 21, 2025 12:04 pm
Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary is observed annually as National Anti-Terrorism Day.
As Rahul Gandhi turns 53, a look at his life and politics: From the archives
June 19, 2023 2:46 pm
As Rahul Gandhi turns 53, we take a look at his life and politics. Take a look at pictures from Express Archives.
Congress leaders pay tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on his 78th birth anniversary
August 20, 2022 11:32 am
Remembering Rajiv Gandhi on his 77th birth anniversary
August 20, 2021 12:37 pm
Rajiv Gandhi, a former prime minister and a recipient of Bharat Ratna, was assassinated in a suicide bombing at Chennai’s Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991.
On Sonia Gandhi's 73rd birthday, here are some rare photographs that you wouldn’t have seen
December 10, 2019 6:44 am
The Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi turned 73 Monday. She has decided not to celebrate her birthday in the wake of rape incidents across the country and growing concerns over women’s security.
Gandhi family, Congress leaders pay tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on 75th birth anniversary
August 20, 2019 12:49 pm
Born on 20th August, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi served as prime minister from 1984 to 1989. He was assassinated on May 21, 1991.
Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka pay homage to Rajiv Gandhi on 28th death anniversary
May 22, 2019 10:07 am
Rajiv Gandhi, sixth and youngest PM of India, was assassinated on May 21, 1991, at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during a poll campaign.
Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary: Rare photos of the ‘Iron Lady’
November 20, 2018 7:05 am
Today marks the 101st birth anniversary of India’s first and only female prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Gandhi family, Congress leaders pay their respects to Rajiv Gandhi on 74th birth anniversary
August 21, 2018 6:36 am
Born on 20th August, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi served as prime minister from 1984 to 1989. He was assassinated on May 21, 1991.
RAJIV GANDHI VIDEOS
What is the Assam NRC and what it means to be left out of it
June 22, 2020 6:20 pm
With 40 lakh people being left out of the Assam NRC, there is a huge debate on what their future is. Here's a look at what the Assam NRC is and how the government is addressing the controversies.
Rare pictures: Protests at the Boat Club
June 22, 2020 6:20 pm
Take a look at some of the candid pictures of protests at Boat Club in Delhi . This is part of a weekly photo series where we bring you some unguarded moments captured over the years by The Indian Express photographers’ network.
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