The assassination of Indira Gandhi
THE people of Fiji reacted to the news of Indira Gandhi’s assassination with shock and horror back in 1965.
On Thursday, November 1, 1965, news of India’s Prime Minister assassination shocked the world and The Fiji Times published an article about the untimely death of Mrs Gandhi.
The former Governor-General, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, with whom Mrs Gandhi stayed at Government House during her state visit to Fiji in 1981 said from Bau on Wednesday both he and Lady Cakobau were very sorry to hear about the death of Indira Gandhi.
They expressed their deepest sympathy for the “great lady” and hoped India would be able to find another like her.
“The whole world has lost a leader of democracy and a friend of the people,” the then Leader of Opposition, Siddiq Koya said in Suva.
“Here in Fiji, we have lost a good friend. What she did for India during her term of office would hardly be matched by a future Prime Minister.
“In the past decade the achievements India has made have been due to her personal work and sacrifices.”
Mr Koya said it was tragic that someone who had done so much for India should become the victim of violence.
He said he had met her on a number of occasions in 1970, 1971, 1974 and in 1981 and he remembered her as a very dedicated person and very punctual in her work.
“She carried tremendous responsibilities on her shoulders and yet remained outwardly calm and cool,” he said.
Mr Koya said she had charisma and followed in her father’s footsteps as a friend of the poor and the downtrodden.
“For a long time India would be hard put to find someone to fill her post as well as she had,” he said.
The former Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Reddy said he was very shocked to hear of Mrs Gandhi’s assassination.
“I feel so shocked I don’t know what to say,” he said.
“I had the pleasure of meeting her and talking to her for some time. I find it quite unbelievable that it has happened to her.
“Her departure is going to create such an enormous void; it would be difficult to see anyone filling this.
“She was such a towering personality, so strong and so obviously the leader, that it would be difficult to think of anyone to fill her place.
“Her death would have deep repercussion for India and the rest of the world.”
The president of the Indian Alliance, Ishwari Bajpai said he was very shocked at the news.
“It is one of the saddest things I have heard. It is one of the most inhuman and rotten acts to have taken place,” Mr Bajpai said.