Lal Bahadur Shastri He was the second Prime Minister of India and also a prominent leader of the freedom struggle. He was born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh. Shastri ji’s life was full of simplicity, honesty and patriotism. them especially Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan He is remembered for the slogan, which he gave during the India-Pakistan war in 1965.
Highlights of his life
- Education: He received the title of “Shastri” from Kashi Vidyapeeth, which later became part of his name.
- Contribution to freedom struggle: Shastri ji participated in Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement and also went to jail several times.
- Journey to become Prime Minister: After the death of Pandit Nehru in 1964, Shastri ji was made the Prime Minister.
- 1965 war: During the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, he united the country and boosted the morale of the Indian Army.
- Death: He died on 11 January 1966 in Tashkent, where he had signed the Tashkent Agreement with Pakistan.
Even today, he is considered as an ideal leader across the country for his honesty and loyalty.
Lal Bahadur Shastri becoming Prime Minister was an important turning point in Indian politics. After the demise of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, the Congress Party faced the challenge of selecting a new Prime Minister. At that time Morarji Desai, who was at that time a senior leader and a powerful figure within the party, staked his claim for the post of Prime Minister. But there was a more widespread consensus on the name of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Reasons due to which Shastriji became Prime Minister
- consensus and simplicity: Shastri ji was known for his simplicity, humility and calm leadership style. His image was among the public and the leaders of the Congress Party as a person who could save the party from division.
- support of congress leaders: At that time many influential leaders of Congress Party like Kamaraj and Indira Gandhi supported Shastri ji. Under the Kamaraj scheme many leaders had left the leadership and Kamaraj’s political influence was very strong then. Kamaraj supported Shastri ji, which maintained balance within the party.
- Personality of Morarji Desai: Morarji Desai’s image was considered strict and more disciplined. Some leaders feared that Desai’s leadership could lead to greater divisions within the Congress party. Therefore, there was a need in the party for a person who could take all the factions together, and Shastri ji was a suitable candidate from this point of view.
- popularity in party: Lal Bahadur Shastri was very popular in the Congress Party throughout his political career. During his leadership, his conscientious and compromising attitude attracted the party leaders.
For all these reasons, Lal Bahadur Shastri was elected the second Prime Minister of India, leaving Morarji Desai behind.
