Lal Bahadur Shastri: A Legacy of Simplicity and Strength

Lal Bahadur Shastri is not just a name but a persona in itself. From June 9, 1964, till January 11, 1966, Lal Bahadur Shastri served as the Prime Minister of India. He was born on October 2, 1904, at Mughalsarai, a small railway town seven miles from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Lal Bahadur had a normal education in his small town. Despite struggles, he was keen on completing his education.

Illustration by The Geostrata

As he grew up, Lal Bahadur became more and more interested in India's fight for freedom from foreign rule. He was greatly impressed by Mahatma Gandhi's criticism of Indian kings who supported British rule. Even at the age of eleven, the process that would later bring him to the national stage had already started in his mind. Lal Bahadur joined Kashi Vidya Peeth in Varanasi, one of the many schools set up to oppose British rule.

There, he was influenced by some of the country's greatest thinkers and nationalists. 'Shastri'  was the name of the bachelor's degree he received from the Vidya Peeth, but it has become an important part of his name in the hearts of people.

When the Congress came to power after India's independence, the quiet and humble Lal Bahadur Shastri was already recognised as the leader of the freedom movement. When the Congress government was formed in 1946, this 'little dynamo of a man' was asked to take an active role in running the country. 

ROLE IN THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE AND BECOMING PRIME MINISTER

Even while handling his government jobs, he kept using his strong organising skills for the Congress party. The party's big wins in the 1952, 1957, and 1962 elections were largely due to his deep commitment to the cause and his excellent organising skills. Lal Bahadur Shastri had more than thirty years of loyal service to his country.

During this time, he was known for his honesty and ability. He was humble, patient, strong inside, and determined. He was a man who understood the people and their needs. He was also a visionary who led the country forward.

Lal Bahadur Shastri was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's teachings. He once said, "Hard work is equal to prayer," which sounded very much like his mentor's words. In the same way as Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri stood for the best values of Indian culture. Lal Bahadur gave the nation the slogan of  Jai Jawan Jai Kishan and exhorted the people to make all sacrifices in the honour of adversity

When Pt. Nehru, then prime minister, died in his office on 27 May 1964, Party president K. Kamaraj supported Shastri in becoming the Prime Minister on June 9. Shastri, who was quiet and gentle, was a socialist like Nehru, and that made him popular with the community, who wanted to stop the rise of the more conservative right-winger Morarji Desai.

In his first broadcast as prime minister on June 11, 1964, Shastri said, "There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the crossroads of history and must choose which way to go. But for us, there need be no difficulty or hesitation, no looking to the right or left. Our way is straight and clear—the building up of a socialist democracy at home with freedom and prosperity for all, and the maintenance of world peace and friendship with all nations.”

In line with this vision, Shastri's government focused on quietly and firmly improving India's internal systems. Unlike Nehru, who was very famous and prominent, Shastri worked humbly and cooperatively.

He often preferred working behind the scenes and not drawing attention to himself. He pushed for better government efficiency, asking civil servants to be more attentive to the needs of regular people. Shastri also worked to spread out decision-making power, giving more authority to states and local groups to help with development.

His leadership style was more about convincing people than giving orders, which helped him gain respect from people of all political backgrounds. Even though he didn't rule for long, his approach created a culture of responsibility, simplicity, and practical solutions within the government. 

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS 

Lal Bahadur Shastri’s time as Prime Minister was characterised by significant reforms and the creation of several important national institutions that played a major role in India’s development. One of his key contributions was the establishment of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, which continues to serve as the main training centre for India’s civil servants and reflects his strong commitment to public service.

He also helped set up educational institutions such as Bal Vidya Mandir in Lucknow and the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, both of which aimed to improve the quality of education and promote agricultural progress.

In the field of science and technology, Shastri launched important projects, including the Central Institute of Technology in Chennai and the Plutonium Reprocessing Plant in Trombay, which helped advance technical education and bolster India’s nuclear program.

Under his leadership, the National Dairy Development Board was established in Anand, which played a crucial role in the White Revolution, while the Food Corporation of India was created to support the Green Revolution and ensure food security. One of the achievements of his time was the Green Revolution. This major change in agriculture helped increase food production and reduce India's need to import food, which was costing a lot of money.

Under Shastri's guidance, the government introduced better crops, improved water systems, and new farming methods. This was a big turning point in India's economic history, helping the country become more self-sufficient in food. Another major achievement was the White Revolution, which started with the National Dairy Development Board led by Dr. Verghese Kurien.

Shastri strongly supported Dr. Kurien and the cooperative dairy movement, leading to the creation of the Amul brand. This became a symbol of high-quality dairy products in India. The revolution greatly improved the lives of many rural farmers by helping them through cooperative milk production and made India one of the world's largest milk producers.

Shastri’s vision also led to the development of infrastructure projects such as the Jawahar Dock at Chennai Port and the Almatti Dam in Karnataka, demonstrating his focus on economic growth and rural development. He also founded institutions like the Sainik School in Balachadi, Gujarat, which aimed to instill discipline and leadership qualities in young people.

In recognition of his contributions, several educational institutions and government buildings were named after him, including the Lal Bahadur Shastri Degree College in Gonda, the Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Arts, Science, and Commerce in Satara, and the Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. These institutions and buildings continue to honor his legacy and his dedication to building a strong and prosperous nation. 

Shastri retained many members of Nehru's Council of Ministers. He appointed Swaran Singh to succeed as External Affairs Minister. He also appointed Indira Gandhi, daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru and former Congress President, as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. During Lal Bahadur Shastri's time as Prime Minister, the Madras anti-Hindi agitation took place in 1965.

For a long time, the Indian government had been working to make Hindi the only official language of the country. However, this effort faced strong opposition from non-Hindi-speaking states, especially Madras State. In order to ease the tensions, Shastri assured people that English would continue to be used as an official language until the non-Hindi-speaking states were ready to change.

His promise helped bring the riots and student protests to an end. In 1964, Shastri signed an accord with the responsibility of local governments to provide adequate facilities to shelter the repatriates upon disembarkation on Indian soil. Particularly in the Madras State, the Chief Minister during that time, Minjur K. 

DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Shastri's leadership was put to its biggest test during the 1965 war with Pakistan. The war caused a lot of financial and resource strain on India. But Shastri showed great strength and kept the economy stable even during the tough times. His government managed to maintain economic balance, showing its dedication to the country's financial health. 

On 1st August 1965, major attacks by militants and Pakistani soldiers started, aiming not only to weaken the government but also to encourage a rebellion among the people. However, the rebellion did not take place. In response, India deployed its military across the Ceasefire Line, which is now known as the Line of Control, and threatened Pakistan by crossing the International Border near Lahore as a full-scale war erupted.

Large battles involving tanks took place in Punjab, and although Pakistani forces gained ground in the northern part of the subcontinent, Indian troops captured a key location at Haji Pir in Kashmir and subjected the Pakistani city of Lahore to heavy artillery and mortar fire. Shastri's leadership was put to its biggest test during the 1965 war with Pakistan.

The war caused a lot of financial and resource strain on India. But Shastri showed great strength and kept the economy stable even during the tough times. His government managed to maintain economic balance, showing his dedication to the country's financial health. 

During his time as prime minister, Shastri visited several countries, including the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, England, Canada, Nepal, Egypt, and Burma. In October 1964, while returning from the Non-Aligned Conference in Cairo, Shastri made a stop at Karachi Airport for a few hours on the invitation of then-President of Pakistan, Muhammad Ayub Khan, to have lunch with him.

Departing from usual protocol, Ayub Khan personally greeted Shastri at the airport, and they had an informal discussion. After the ceasefire with Pakistan in 1965, Shastri and Ayub Khan attended a summit in Tashkent, which was then part of the former USSR and is now in modern-day Uzbekistan, organised by Alexei Kosygin. On 10 January 1966, Shastri and Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent Declaration.

The declaration was designed to officially conclude the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 by committing both sides to a ceasefire, pulling back troops to their positions before the war began, respecting each other's sovereignty, rebuilding diplomatic and economic ties, and returning prisoners of war. This move was regarded as an important milestone in the pursuit of long-term peace between the two countries.

Unfortunately, Lal Bahadur Shastri died unexpectedly from a heart attack in Tashkent on January 11, 1966, just a day after signing the declaration. His sudden passing deeply affected the country and left behind a legacy of a leader who was devoted to peace and the unity of the nation.

Although the official reason given for Lal Bahadur Shastri's death in Tashkent was a heart attack, many people have long questioned whether there was something more involved. There was no autopsy carried out at the site where he died, which has raised concerns about openness.

When his body was brought back to India, there were unexplained marks on it. Also, some of his staff were detained by Soviet authorities without clear reasons. The strange situation around key witnesses has led to various theories. Some reports suggest he may have been poisoned or assassinated by political enemies or foreign intelligence agencies.

Requests to release official documents have been rejected on the grounds of national security. Even though there is no clear evidence to confirm these theories, the unresolved questions continue to create a sense of mystery around the sudden passing of this respected leader.

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BY SIDDHI KHURANA

CENTRE FOR POLITICS AND LAW

TEAM GEOSTRATA

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