To
control population growth, Gandhi implemented a voluntary sterilization
program. As a result, adversaries criticized her and her administration
in general. To secure her power and because of escalating riots, on June
26, 1975, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency which limited the
personal freedom of Indians. Also, she ordered the arrests of the main
opposition leaders. In 1977, she was voted out of office but regained
her position as prime minister in 1980.
On October 31, 1984, on the unfateful day, Indira Gandhi's Sikh
bodyguards assassinated her. They did so to avenge the storming of the
Golden Temple in Amritsar. Gandhi ordered the storming in June because
of terrorist activity.
As prime minister, Gandhi tried to improve the lives of Indians. Her
main accomplishments were improving relations with the Soviet Union and
victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Also in 1971, India sent its
first satellite into space. Economically, Indira Gandhi led India to one
of the fastest growing economies in the world toward the end of her time
as prime minister.
