Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, was assassinated on October 31, 1984, in New Delhi. Her assassination and the events surrounding it are significant in Indian history and had profound political, social, and emotional impacts on the country.

1. Background to the Assassination:

• Indira Gandhi, the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, had served as the Prime Minister of India for two non-consecutive terms: first from 1966 to 1977 and then again from 1980 to 1984.
• During her second term, she faced various challenges, including economic difficulties, growing political opposition, and rising religious and ethnic tensions, particularly in Punjab, where Sikh separatist movements were gaining momentum.
• In 1984, she had ordered Operation Blue Star to remove militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. The operation targeted Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed supporters, who had turned the Golden Temple complex into a fortified stronghold.
• The operation resulted in significant loss of life, including both militants and civilians, and damaged the holy Sikh shrine. The operation sparked outrage, especially among Sikhs, leading to a backlash against Indira Gandhi’s leadership.

2. The Assassination:

• Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, on October 31, 1984. The two bodyguards shot her at point-blank range in the garden of her residence in New Delhi.
• Beant Singh fired the first round of shots, and then Satwant Singh joined in. After the shooting, the assailants were immediately arrested.
• The assassination was a direct response to Operation Blue Star, which many Sikhs saw as an attack on their faith and culture. Bhindranwale, the leader of the Sikh militants, had been killed during the operation, and the loss led to deep resentment among some Sikhs, especially in Punjab.

3. Aftermath of the Assassination:

• Following Indira Gandhi’s assassination, there were widespread anti-Sikh riots across India, especially in Delhi, where thousands of Sikhs were targeted, attacked, and killed. The violence was exacerbated by the political climate of the time and the anger over her death.
• Rajiv Gandhi, her son, was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India the same day. His leadership marked a period of transition, and he attempted to restore peace and address the aftermath of the violence. However, the anti-Sikh riots remained a controversial and painful chapter in Indian history.
• Indira Gandhi’s assassination also symbolized the deep divisions in Indian society and politics, particularly the tension between the central government and the Sikh community in Punjab.

4. Indira Gandhi’s Legacy:

• Indira Gandhi was one of the most powerful and influential leaders in Indian history. She was the first and, to date, only female Prime Minister of India.
• Her policies, such as the Green Revolution (which aimed to make India self-sufficient in food production), and her leadership during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, are often regarded as defining moments of her career.
• Despite the controversies surrounding her tenure, including the Emergency (1975-77), where civil rights were suspended, she remains a central figure in Indian politics.

5. Other Options in the Question:

a) Jawaharlal Nehru: Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, passed away in 1964 due to a heart attack. He was not assassinated.

c) Rajiv Gandhi: Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's son and successor, was assassinated in 1991 by a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during an election rally in Tamil Nadu.

d) Morarji Desai: Morarji Desai was a former Prime Minister of India (1977–1979) but was not assassinated. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 99.

Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star, which she had ordered to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The assassination led to widespread violence and marked a tragic chapter in India's history.

Hence, Option B Is Correct.

1974.

India conducted its first successful nuclear weapon test on May 18, 1974, under the code name Project Smiling Buddha. This event marked a significant milestone in India's scientific and military history. Let's break down the key details:

1. Project Smiling Buddha:

• Project Smiling Buddha was a secret Indian project aimed at developing nuclear weapons. The name "Smiling Buddha" was chosen as a code name for the test, reflecting the country’s calm and peaceful approach to the development of nuclear technology, despite the military implications.
• India had been working on developing nuclear capabilities for several years, and the test was part of a broader effort to establish the country as a nuclear power, motivated by security concerns and regional dynamics, particularly the nuclear developments in neighboring China and Pakistan.

2. The Test – Pokhran I:

• The test, codenamed Pokhran-I, was conducted at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan, a desert region in western India. The location was chosen for its remote nature, ensuring secrecy and safety during the test.
• On May 18, 1974, India detonated its first nuclear device, a fission bomb, with a yield of approximately 12 kilotons. The test was carried out underground to minimize fallout and external detection.
• The device was exploded under the supervision of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, a prominent physicist and key figure in India’s nuclear program, who had laid the groundwork for the country's nuclear ambitions in the 1940s and 1950s.

3. Impact and Reactions:

• The test was a political and strategic milestone for India, which had previously only had limited access to nuclear technology. At the time, India faced growing security concerns, particularly with the rise of nuclear-armed neighbors like China (which tested its first nuclear weapon in 1964) and Pakistan (which was seen as a potential nuclear power).
• Internationally, India's nuclear test received mixed reactions. While some countries acknowledged India’s right to pursue nuclear technology, others, particularly the United States and other western powers, condemned the test. This led to India's isolation in terms of nuclear diplomacy.
• The test was carried out in defiance of international agreements like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which India had not signed on, arguing that it discriminated against countries without nuclear weapons.

4. Aftermath and Further Developments:

• After the test, India declared that its nuclear program was purely for peaceful purposes, emphasizing that it would not engage in the development of nuclear weapons. However, the test effectively marked India’s entry into the group of nuclear-capable nations.
• In the following years, India continued to develop its nuclear capabilities, including a second round of nuclear tests in 1998, known as Operation Shakti, under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These tests further solidified India’s status as a nuclear power.
• Pokhran-I and its peaceful portrayal ("Smiling Buddha") became symbolic of India’s desire to use nuclear technology for peaceful energy purposes, while still asserting its sovereignty and security in the international arena.

5. Other Options in the Question:

b) 1977: This year does not correspond to any significant nuclear test in India’s history.

c) 1980: India did not conduct any nuclear weapon tests in 1980. The first successful test was in 1974.

d) 1982: There was no nuclear weapon test in 1982 either. India’s next significant tests occurred in 1998 (Operation Shakti).

In conclusion:

India's first successful nuclear weapon test occurred in 1974 under the Project Smiling Buddha initiative. The test marked a critical moment in India’s journey towards becoming a recognized nuclear power and had profound political and strategic implications both domestically and internationally.

Hence, Option A Is Correct.

Indira Gandhi.

After the Seventh General Election in January 1980, Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India for the second time.

1. Background to the 1977 Election and Government Formation:

• Indira Gandhi, who had been the Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977, lost the 1977 General Election after a period of emergency rule (1975-77) in which civil liberties were suspended, and many political opponents were jailed.
• After her loss in 1977, she was replaced by Morarji Desai, who led a coalition government under the Janata Party.
• However, the Janata Party government faced internal conflicts and instability, particularly with Morarji Desai's resignation in 1979, followed by a split in the party.

2. Rise of Indira Gandhi Again:

• Following the fragmentation of the Janata Party, the political landscape became unstable. This gave Indira Gandhi and the Congress (I) party an opportunity to make a comeback.
• In January 1980, a snap general election was called by Indira Gandhi. The Congress (I) (Indian National Congress) campaigned under her leadership and won a massive victory.
• The Congress (I) secured 351 seats in the 545-member Lok Sabha, ensuring a clear majority.

3. Indira Gandhi's Return as Prime Minister:

• After the election results were announced, Indira Gandhi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India once again on January 14, 1980.
• This marked her second term as Prime Minister, as she had previously served from 1966 to 1977 before her defeat.

4. Impact of the 1980 Election:

• Indira Gandhi’s return to power in 1980 was seen as a triumph for her leadership, especially after the setback she faced in 1977.
• Her victory was largely attributed to her strong leadership and the perception of the Congress (I) as the stabilizing force after the fragmented and unstable coalition governments of the late 1970s.

In summary, Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India after the Seventh General Election in January 1980, marking her comeback to power after the brief interlude of the Janata Party government.

Hence, Option C Is Correct.