New Delhi, October 31, 1984:
The final day of Indira Gandhi, India’s Iron Lady and former Prime Minister, remains one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history. On this day, she was assassinated by her own bodyguards at her residence on Safdarjung Road in New Delhi.
The Last Night and the Morning of the Tragedy
On October 30, 1984, Indira Gandhi delivered what would become her last public speech in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. In that address, she seemed to have a premonition of her fate, saying:
> “I am here today; I may not be here tomorrow. But every drop of my blood will strengthen this nation.”
These words have since become a lasting symbol of her courage and patriotism.
That night, after returning to Delhi, she continued working late and reportedly had trouble sleeping.
The Morning of October 31
On the morning of October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was scheduled to give an interview to British actor and filmmaker Peter Ustinov, who was filming a documentary for Irish Television.
Around 9:20 a.m., she left her residence at 1, Safdarjung Road to walk to her office at 1, Akbar Road, accompanied by her personal secretary R.K. Dhawan and security staff.
Unusually, she did not wear her bulletproof vest that morning.
The Assassination
As she approached the main gate, two of her Sikh bodyguards — Beant Singh and Satwant Singh — stood waiting. Both were reportedly seeking revenge for Operation Blue Star, the Indian Army’s assault on the Golden Temple in Amritsar earlier that year.
When Indira Gandhi came near, Beant Singh fired three shots from his revolver into her abdomen. Instantly, Satwant Singh opened fire with his Sten submachine gun, unleashing over 30 rounds.
Indira Gandhi collapsed on the walkway.
After the shooting, both assailants dropped their weapons, attempting to surrender. Security personnel nearby immediately opened fire, killing Beant Singh on the spot and seriously injuring Satwant Singh.
The Last Effort to Save Her
Indira Gandhi was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
A team of doctors battled for nearly five hours to save her life. She received over 80 bottles of blood transfusion, but the multiple bullet wounds had caused irreversible damage.
At 2:20 p.m., she was declared dead.
Aftermath
The news of Indira Gandhi’s assassination shocked the entire nation.
Her killing triggered horrific anti-Sikh riots across India — particularly in Delhi and parts of North India — in which thousands of innocent Sikhs were killed.
The violence left a deep scar on the country’s unity.Following her death, Rajiv Gandhi, her son, was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India.
Indira Gandhi’s state funeral was held on November 3, 1984, at Shakti Sthal in New Delhi.
Her final words and ultimate sacrifice remain a testament to her dedication to national service and unity.
Indira Gandhi’s legacy continues to hold an immortal place in India’s political and historical memory.