On November 19, 2025, the legacy of Indira Gandhi, India's first and only female Prime Minister, took center stage in New Delhi as tributes poured in from across the political spectrum to commemorate her 108th birth anniversary. The day was marked by solemn remembrance, political reflection, and a revisiting of Gandhi’s towering presence in India’s modern history—her achievements, controversies, and enduring influence on the nation’s trajectory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in honoring Indira Gandhi, posting a succinct but respectful message on X: "Tributes to former PM Smt. Indira Gandhi Ji on the occasion of her birth anniversary." According to ANI, Modi’s tribute was joined by a host of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sonia Gandhi, who paid floral respects at Shakti Sthal, the memorial site dedicated to the former Prime Minister.
Indira Gandhi, born on November 19, 1917, to Jawaharlal Nehru—India’s first Prime Minister—and Kamala Nehru, remains an iconic figure in Indian politics. Her journey to the highest office in the land was marked by both privilege and adversity. She served as Prime Minister from January 1966 to March 1977, and again from January 1980 until her assassination on October 31, 1984. As reported by ANI, she was the second-longest-serving Prime Minister after her father and is widely recognized for her path-breaking economic and social reforms.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in his tribute, described Gandhi’s leadership as “exemplary and dynamic,” highlighting her “immense political courage” and “lifelong dedication to public service.” Kharge’s words, shared on X along with archival footage of Gandhi’s speeches, struck a chord: “The exemplary and the dynamic leadership of Smt. Indira Gandhi, showing immense political courage, shall forever remain an inspiration. Her unwavering resolve and lifelong dedication to public service left an indelible mark on India's journey of progress.”
Kharge went further, emphasizing the ultimate price Gandhi paid for the nation’s unity: “Her ultimate sacrifice in safeguarding the unity and integrity of the nation deserves a million salutations. On her birth anniversary, we offer our respectful homage to her enduring legacy.”
Indira Gandhi’s time in office was anything but uneventful. She is perhaps best known for her sweeping economic and social reforms, including the nationalization of banks and the abolition of privy purses for the erstwhile princely states—a move that was both bold and contentious. According to ANI, these reforms reshaped India’s financial landscape, strengthened the public sector, and signaled a shift toward greater state control over the economy.
But Gandhi’s legacy extends far beyond economics. She was deeply involved in India’s freedom movement from a young age, establishing the 'Bal Charkha Sangh' and the 'Vanar Sena' to mobilize youth during the Civil Disobedience movement. Her commitment to the Congress party and the broader cause of Indian independence was unwavering, earning her the moniker ‘Iron Lady of India.’
Internationally, Gandhi’s leadership was tested on multiple fronts. Under her stewardship, India fought the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, a conflict that ultimately led to the creation of Bangladesh. Indian forces, in alliance with Bangladesh’s 'Mukti Vahini,' played a decisive role in the region’s transformation. As ANI notes, this victory not only altered the subcontinent’s geopolitical landscape but also cemented Gandhi’s reputation as a formidable leader on the world stage.
Her tenure was also marked by military challenges with China. In 1967, a conflict erupted between Indian and Chinese forces, resulting in casualties on both sides and ultimately leading to the withdrawal of Chinese troops from Sikkim. This episode foreshadowed the region’s future: in 1975, following a referendum, Sikkim was formally incorporated into the Indian Union—another chapter in Gandhi’s complex legacy of nation-building.
Yet, the most tragic chapter of Indira Gandhi’s life—and perhaps the most controversial—was her assassination. On October 31, 1984, she was shot dead by her own Sikh bodyguards at her official residence on Akbar Road in New Delhi. The assassination was a direct aftermath of Operation Bluestar, a military operation she ordered at Amritsar’s Golden Temple to confront Sikh separatists who had taken shelter in the sacred complex. According to ANI, the fallout from her killing was immediate and devastating: anti-Sikh riots erupted across several parts of India, leaving deep scars that still linger in the national consciousness.
Despite the controversies, Gandhi’s stature as a world leader remains undiminished in the eyes of many. Her supporters point to her resilience during times of crisis, her ability to take tough decisions, and her vision for a stronger, more self-reliant India. Critics, on the other hand, highlight the darker periods of her rule, including the Emergency—a time when civil liberties were suspended and political opposition was stifled. Yet, even her detractors acknowledge her unparalleled impact on the Indian polity.
The commemoration of her birth anniversary this year was not limited to Indira Gandhi alone. Prime Minister Modi also paid tribute to Rani Lakshmibai, the legendary ‘warrior queen’ of Jhansi, on her 197th birth anniversary. Calling her “Mother India’s immortal warrior queen,” Modi wrote, “The story of her bravery and valor in the first war of independence still fills the hearts of the countrymen with zeal and passion today. A grateful nation can never forget her sacrifice and struggle for the protection of the pride of the motherland.”
In many ways, the parallel tributes to both Indira Gandhi and Rani Lakshmibai underscored a broader narrative of women’s leadership and sacrifice in India’s history. Both figures, though separated by more than a century, symbolize courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the nation’s ideals—even at great personal cost.
As India reflects on Indira Gandhi’s contributions, the debate over her legacy continues. For some, she is the architect of modern India—a leader who steered the nation through war, economic upheaval, and social transformation. For others, her tenure is a cautionary tale about the dangers of concentrated power and the fragility of democratic norms. Yet, as the floral tributes at Shakti Sthal and the words of praise from leaders across party lines make clear, Indira Gandhi’s imprint on India’s story is indelible—her life and leadership continue to inspire, provoke, and challenge the nation she once led.