Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (An Old and Rare Book)

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One more world leader has fallen prey to the assassin's bullet. The amazing career of a world figure, a statesman of great promise, was cut short when Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, was martyred on the fateful night of May 21, 1991 at a public meeting, he was going to address in Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu).

Who were the assassins of Rajiv? Time alone will tell? Or probably may not. The treacherous assassin, with bouquet in hand and with a deadly explosive device tied round her waste, snuffed the life out of him.

The story of Rajiv's martyrdom has been vividly described in this inimitable book with a high degree of sensitivity. The tearful account of the last journey of his mortal remains, so vividly captured in this book, makes it a moving story. The torrents of observations and comments, lauding the qualities of head and heart of the departed leader, add to the appeal of the book. To cap it all, the collection of tributes and eulogies offered by national and international leaders and the Press to this great son of India makes it a unique book worthy of acquisition.

Shashi Ahluwalia is a post-graduate in Political Science. From her youth she has been fascinated by saints, savants, scholars and great sons of India, who have shaped the destiny of the nation. It is her devotion to these veterans which has prompted her to bring out these books as a humble tribute to them. She has authored over two dozen books. Her books include Rajiv Gandhi: Breaking New Grounds; Bharat- Ratnas: Netaji and Gandhi; Sardar Patel: Rebel and Ruler; Shivaji and Indian Nationalism; Founders of New India, Martyrdom of Indira Gandhi and Raja Rammohun Roy and the Indian Renaissance (co- authored with Meenakshi Ahluwalia).

Her books have been very well received both by the press and public alike. Currently she is working on the Buddha and Buddhism.

Meenakshi Ahluwalia is a student of Sociology in Delhi University. Though young in years still she has displayed maturity far beyond her age. May be she has imbibed the literary skill from her parents-B. K. and Shashi Ahluwalia-who have established themselves as leading commentators on the national struggle and bio-graphers of patriots.

The crowd jostled for vantage position as they noticed Rajiv Gandhi, bearing a happy smile walking towards the rostrum. He looked young, confident and full of love and compassion for the people. The people cheered him. Every cheer lifted his spirits, convinced him that he enjoyed the people's love in abundant measure. This awareness was a positive indication of the future political trend. Instinctively he felt that his party would gain electoral victory. He received a garland from a young girl. He patted her and then found a woman carrying a lovely bouquet approaching him. He received the bouquet. Suddenly a mighty explosion shook the area. Rajiv Gandhi was bodily thrown up, to a distance of about two meters. By the time the explosion petered off, Rajiv Gandhi was dead. The assassin had struck once again a third Gandhi.

The group of people, who wanted to avert Rajiv's return to power, prepared the blue print for their heinous crime. They sent their agents- a human bomb-to the venue of Rajiv's meeting at Sriperumbudur - in Tamil Nadu. The assassin posed to be a fan of Rajiv. She offered him a bouquet while triggering the ex- plosive pad which was tied to her waist. Rajiv fell. The nation was plunged into darkness.

The story of Rajiv's martyrdom is recreated in this book with great sensitivity. The tearful last journey of the mortal re- mains of Rajiv captured in the book, touches us deeply. The observations and comments about the quality of the departed leader add to the appeal of the book. To cap it all comes the collection of tributes offered by national and international leaders to this great Son of India.

The authors have made use of material on Rajiv Gandhi after his assassination which has appeared in various newspapers and journals both in India and abroad. Due acknowledgements have been made in the text of the volume of the contributors and also the journals and newspapers. The authors are also indebted to the Press Information Bureau of Government of India for the photographs published in the volume.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages