Senior Congress leaders on Thursday, 21 May gathered at Veer Bhumi in New Delhi to pay floral tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary, remembering him as a transformative leader who championed youth empowerment and India's technological advancement.

Who Attended the Tribute

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offered floral tributes at the memorial. Senior leaders including Ashok Gehlot, P. Chidambaram, and Mukul Wasnik, along with party workers and supporters, also participated in the commemoration.

What Leaders Said

Congress leader Jagdish Tytler described Rajiv Gandhi as an exceptional and deeply humane figure. 'He was a leader and a person like whom I have never seen in my life. He was a very kind and truly humane person. The country needed someone like him — a leader with scientific thinking, concern for children, and a vision for the youth,' Tytler said.

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar urged those present to revisit the inscription at Veer Bhumi. 'I would say that what is written here at Veer Bhumi should be read again because, in just a few lines, it explains the meaning of his life, his message, and the kind of India he envisioned. Today, there is a major attempt being made to almost destroy that dream,' Aiyar said.

Leader of Opposition in the Haryana Assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, 'Rajiv Gandhi had a vision for India and particularly for the youth, and the entire country had high expectations from him.' Congress leader Srinivas B.V. noted that Rajiv Gandhi's ideology continues to inspire the party globally, calling the day Sadbhavana Diwas.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Devender Yadav credited Rajiv Gandhi with giving the country 'a new direction and energy', specifically citing his role in bringing the computer and digital revolution to India.

Rajiv Gandhi: A Brief Profile

Rajiv Gandhi was born on 20 August 1944 and became India's youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 in October 1984, following the assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He served as Prime Minister until December 1989. He was assassinated on 21 May 1991 by an LTTE suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

Legacy and Significance

Rajiv Gandhi is widely credited with initiating India's information technology push in the 1980s, lowering the voting age to 18, and expanding telecom infrastructure. His tenure is frequently cited by Congress as the foundation for India's eventual digital economy. Notably, this anniversary is observed annually as Sadbhavana Diwas — a day promoting national integration and communal harmony — across Congress-governed states and party units worldwide. This year's tribute comes at a politically charged moment, with the Congress using the occasion to sharpen its contrast with the ruling dispensation.