By Apeksha Tickoo
Someone has rightly said, ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’ But to add, with great power also comes greater risk of upsetting people, proving to be a threat for some and consequently becoming a target for others. Supremacy and dominance have cost many people their lives and will continue to do so. Here is a list of 5 Famous assassinations that took place in India and shook the whole world.
1. Mahatma Shot Dead
30th January 1948 will always be one of the most unfortunate days in the history of our country as we lost our beloved Gandhiji on this day. Nathuram Godse, a Hindu extremist bowed before shooting Gandhiji thrice after which he himself shouted ‘police’ and surrendered himself. The last words that Gandhiji left with us before departing for the heavenly abode were ‘Hey Ram’.
Nathuram Godse was unapologetic throughout the trial as he believed Gandhi to be the culprit of the partition between India and Pakistan.
2. Iron Lady Shot Dead
Indira Gandhi was known for her bold and passionate take on politics. Her fearless decisions be it creation of Bangladesh or imposing emergency gave her the tag of Iron Lady of India. On 31st October 1984 she was assassinated by two of her own guards Satwant Singh and Beant Singh to seek revenge for operation Blue Star. She was shot 33 times and rushed to AIIMS soon after the attack where she was declared dead after 5 hours of treatment.
3. Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassination
The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi took place while he was campaigning for upcoming elections near Chennai on may 21, 1991. The assassination took place in the form of suicide bombing and killed 14 others along with Rajiv Gandhi and the assassin, Dhanu. While he was charging towards the dais, everyone was greeting Rajiv Gandhi and offering him garlands when Dhanu came along, touched his feet and detonated an RDX laden belt tucked below her dress. Rajiv Gandhi’s body could only be identified by a bald patch at the back of his head and his shoes as his face was acutely mutilated. This picture was clicked few minutes before the attack and inset depicts the picture of Dhanu.
4. Bandit Queen Shot Dead
Phoolan Devi, popularly known as bandit Queen was a bandit but later proceeded to become a member of parliament. Though she had a rough childhood and an unsuccessful marriage, Phoolan Devi later decided to take control and joined the crime world. One July 25th, 2001 Phoolan Devi was shot 5 times outside her residence by 3 masked gunmen in Delhi. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and declared dead. The main suspect named Sher Singh Rana surrendered to the police and said that the assassination was in reply to the Behmai massacre where phoolan devi killed many Rajputs.
5. Dhabolkar’s Voice Silenced Forever
Narendra Dhabolkar, a very popular name amongst activists raised his voice against black magic, godmen and superstitions. He was disliked by people against whom he was protesting, tantriks and other practitioners of black magic. Following this hatred he was shot thrice on 20 August 2013 and he died on the way to the hospital. He was a committed activist and struggled for a bill to outlaw black magic which after his death was made a law by Maharashtra government.
