Lesser known facts about Lal Bahadur Shastri

Current Affairs, History

On October 2, India commemorates the birth anniversaries of two great leaders: former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi, known as the “Father of the Nation.” Both leaders made important contributions to India’s early years of nationbuilding and the country’s war for independence.

Lal Bahadur Shastri: A Man of Humble Origins
[A] Rising from Modest Beginnings

  • Early Challenges: Shastri was born in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, in 1904, and experienced hardships from an early age. His father died not long after he was born.
  • Ease: Having grown up in a lower middle class family, his meagre upbringing was symbolized by his mere possession of two kurtas and dhotis.
  • A Name Change: Shastri gave up his birthname “Varma” as a sign of his early social consciousness. He added the title of “Shastri” (one who learns the Shastras) to his name in 1925 when he obtained it from the Kashi Vidyapeeth in Benaras.

[B] Resignation and Accountability

  • A Serious Accident: In 1956, 112 people lost their lives in a catastrophic railway accident in Telangana while the Union Minister for Railways and Transport was in office.
  • Taking Moral Responsibility: Shastri, who was profoundly impacted by the tragedy, submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Nehru after accepting moral responsibility. Shastri’s second resignation, in November 1956, following another railway catastrophe in Tamil Nadu cemented his moral reputation, even though Nehru did not accept it at first.

[C] Championing the Slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’
Shastri returned to the Union Cabinet, holding positions including Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of Home Affairs.

  • Language Assurance: He promised that English would continue to be used alongside Hindi as an official language in response to worries about Hindi dominance.
  • Economic Challenges: In 1965, Shastri urged traders to maintain fair prices, farmers to boost production, and consumers to practice moderation in the face of increased food demand and economic stagnation. “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” (Hail the army, hail the farmer!) is a famous slogan that he created.

[D] Leadership during the 1965 India-Pakistan War and Tashkent Agreement

  • Unforeseen Conflict: After the 1962 war with China, Pakistan felt India was weak and launched strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, sparking the 1965 war with Pakistan.
  • Firm Reaction: Shastri gave the go-ahead for an Indian counteroffensive, which incited violence on both sides.
  • Tashkent Declaration: On January 10, 1966, Soviet Premier Aleksey Kosygin welcomed General Ayub Khan of Pakistan and Shastri to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where they signed a declaration pledging long-term peace.
  • Unexpected Death: Shastri tragically died in Tashkent the next day from a heart attack, prompting rumors to circulate about what happened. That being said, the information that is now available rules out the possibility that there were other influences.

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