Rajiv Gandhi's quote about anti-Sikh riots

“When a big tree falls, the earth shakes."

— Rajiv Gandhi

Read this Quote in Bengali

Source and background :

On 31 October 1984, the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi was shot dead by an assassin. This event is known as 'Indira Gandhi assassination' in Indian history.

Satwant Singh and Bayant Singh, two of Mrs. Gandhi's Sikh bodyguards, were killed during Operation Blue Star in retaliation for the army raid on Harmandir Sahib, the highest Sikh shrine known as the 'Golden Temple'.

Thousands of Sikhs lost their lives in massive violence in the four days following the murder. This happens mainly in Delhi and its surrounding areas. Rajiv Gandhi made this comment while analyzing the assassination and the subsequent unrest.

“We must remember Indiraji. We must remember why her assassination happened. We must remember who could be the people behind this. When Indira's assassination happened, there were riots in the country. We know that the hearts of the Indian people were full of anger and that for a few days people felt India was shaking. When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.”

Listen and watch Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's speech live here.

The Justice Thakkar Commission set up to probe the Indira assassination recommended a separate inquiry into the conspiracy. Satwant Singh and conspirator Kehar Singh were sentenced to death. Their sentence was executed on January 6, 1989. Satwant Singh was the last person to be hanged in Delhi's Tihar Jail.