In 1990, the decision to continue Rajiv’s SPG protection was made by a government committee. Despite the threat, the VP Singh government removed Rajiv Gandhi’s security. The following year, in May, a suicide bomber targeted Rajiv Gandhi, leading to his tragic death.
Old and historical photos of Sonia Gandhi with son Rahul
New Delhi: Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991. In her autobiography, Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia Gandhi details what happened before Rajiv’s assassination. She writes, “Even after stepping down as Prime Minister, Rajiv’s life was in danger. In December 1990, a government committee decided that Rajiv’s SPG protection should continue.
But the very next month, the VP Singh government removed this security, handing over the responsibility to the police.” Sonia writes that after this, she and Priyanka became very worried whenever Rajiv went on tour. Rahul was studying in America at the time. He, too, was concerned about his father’s safety. In March 1991, Rahul visited India during the Easter holidays. He then accompanied Rajiv on a tour of Bihar. In Bihar, Rajiv was campaigning in an open jeep when supporters of opposition parties pelted stones at him.
VP and Chandrashekhar Ignored Appeals
After witnessing this with his own eyes, Rahul told Sonia before returning to America, “Mother, if nothing is done to protect Papa, I will have to return soon for his funeral.” Sonia was shocked to hear this. Sonia writes that the responsibility for providing effective security to Rajiv rested first with the then Prime Minister VP Singh and then with Chandrashekhar, who succeeded him. However, both ignored the Congress Party’s appeals in this regard.
Both Sonia and Rajiv were shocked.
In the book, Sonia Gandhi has detailed a very personal and painful experience from her life. She reveals that when she first became a mother after marrying Rajiv, she gave birth to a son, but the child died the day after birth. The loss of this child, born on January 18, 1969, was a profound shock for both Sonia and Rajiv Gandhi. Sonia writes that she wept bitterly upon hearing the news of her son’s death, and Rajiv Gandhi was also unable to hold back his tears.
Indira took care of her health and diet.
In the book, Sonia recounts another incident: in September, she and Rajiv Gandhi learned that she was expecting a child. Her mother-in-law, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was also unable to conceal her joy. Sonia writes that Indira Gandhi took special care of her health and diet during her pregnancy. She was advised to exercise daily, eat spinach three times a week, and drink two glasses of milk daily.
The decision was made after speaking with Sanjay Gandhi.
Sonia also detailed the difficulties the family faced regarding the child’s funeral after his death. Sonia was unwilling to allow the child’s body to be immersed in the river. She clearly told Rajiv that she would not allow her child to be immersed in the river at any cost. Explaining the reason, Sonia recalled an incident at the Okhla Barrage. She wrote that she had previously visited the site with Rajiv and friends. During that time, she saw a man’s bloated body floating in the river. His body was stuck in a pile of garbage, and dogs were trying to pull it out. Sonia explains in the book that Sanjay Gandhi then arrived and spoke with Rajiv Gandhi. The two decided to bury the child at their farmhouse in Mehrauli.
Edited by: Akshay Srivastava
About the Author
Akshay Srivastava is the Principal Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times (Digital). In March 2025, he joined Navbharat Times (NBT Digital), the digital wing of the Times Group. Here, Akshay is part of the news team and edits and curates national news as well as news related to Delhi and crime.
Courtesy: Hindi News