Indira Gandhi was assassinated on her way to a meeting with which famous actor?

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (19 November 1917 – 31 October 1984) was an Indian politician and central figure of the Indian National Congress party. She was the first and to date the only female Prime Minister of India. Indira Gandhi was the daughter of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Despite her surname Gandhi, she is not related to the family of Mahatma Gandhi. She served as Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977 and then again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984, making her the second-longest-serving Prime Minister of India after her father.

On 31 October 1984, two of Gandhi's bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, shot her with their service weapons in the garden of the Prime Minister's residence at 1 Safdarjung Road, New Delhi. The shooting occurred as she was walking past a wicket gate guarded by Satwant and Beant. She was to have been interviewed by the British actor Peter Ustinov, who was filming a documentary for Irish television. Beant Singh shot her three times using his side-arm and Satwant Singh fired 30 rounds. Beant Singh and Satwant Singh dropped their weapons and surrendered. Afterwards they were taken away by other guards into a closed room where Beant Singh was shot dead. Kehar Singh was later arrested for conspiracy in the attack. Both Satwant and Kehar were sentenced to death and hanged in Delhi's Tihar Jail.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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58 Comments

Beatriz Sukol

Very interesting, she was a great woman!!

Diane Herbert Wall

I remember that she hired Sikhs as bodyguards to get away from Caste system. Some good it did her!

Abbey Downton Katiejane

Great question

Anne Dubuc

Smart question

ninakamwene

I did not know how she died. Thank you for that information Steve.

Ben

Obviously it is the work of the sikh militants. There is a rivalry between Sikh and Hindu in India. She is remembered as the iron Lady of India.

jayasreeuk

To clear everoone 1 ) Indira Gandhi was shot because " She ordered Storming if golden temple / Sikhs sacred shiine as a dikh terrorist Bindrenwale took refuge there / As PM she has to bring Law and Order to the country , Paid the ultimate prize 2 ) As fir her surname She married a Muslim Firoze Gandhi - not related or adopted by Mahatma Gandhi - Hope this clears anyone's or everyone's doubts about this Historic Lady , Thank you ,

Susan Lake-Harris

But why was she assassinated - the reason (if known) should be in the answer, and if not known, that should be stipulated.

Helga U. Williams

She was a great leader, just like her father! Good question and commentary! 👍

Player

Germaine Ferrao Lenn, Peter Ustinov was in her garden waiting to interview her. She was going to meet him when she was assassinated.

teresab

Knew it was a Peter. Another sad chapter in Indian and world history.

tbear

ninakamwene, 👍

tbear

George Oliver Prince, 👍

tbear

Rob Farr, 👍😊

tbear

tesla alset, 👍😊

Syed Hussain

The reasons for this dastardly act should have been touched upon.y

Satish Chandran

Great Leader,India was strongest in her regime. Khalistan problem was a trap to lure her to take stringent action that led to her assassination.

Scott Morris

I always could remember that she died on Halloween. Diane Hebert Wall hit the hammer on the nail. This should be a lesson, as sad a the example is, on the blatant mistake of trying to be politically correct ! Her son was also assassinated.