Lal Bahadur Shastri: A Mystery Behind His Death
Did the CIA Assassinate Lal Bahadur Shastri? A Deep Investigation into the Mystery Behind His Death
Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister, was a man of integrity, humility, and vision. His tenure as Prime Minister (1964–1966) was short but impactful. He is best remembered for leading India successfully through the 1965 war against Pakistan and for his slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan,” which became a rallying cry for self-sufficiency in agriculture and defense. However, his sudden and mysterious death in Tashkent on January 11, 1966, has remained a subject of intense speculation and conspiracy theories, with many suspecting the involvement of the American intelligence agency, the CIA.
Early Life and Contribution to India’s Independence
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh. He came from a humble background, losing his father at a young age. Despite financial hardships, he pursued education and was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom struggle.
Shastri joined the Indian independence movement in the 1920s, participating in protests against British rule. He was jailed multiple times for his active role in civil disobedience movements, including the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement. His commitment to the cause earned him the respect of national leaders. After India’s independence in 1947, Shastri played a vital role in shaping the newly formed government, serving in various ministerial capacities, including as the Home Minister and Railway Minister.
The Official Version of His Death
The official records state that Shastri suffered a fatal heart attack in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then part of the Soviet Union), just hours after signing the Tashkent Agreement with Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan. According to the Soviet doctors who attended him, Shastri’s death was due to a cardiac arrest. However, no post-mortem was conducted, which has fueled numerous doubts and suspicions about the real cause of his demise.
Suspicious Circumstances Around His Death
Several aspects of Shastri’s death raise serious questions:
- No Post-Mortem Examination: Despite his status as a sitting Prime Minister, no autopsy was conducted. His body bore signs of unnatural death, including blue patches and excessive frothing from the mouth, raising suspicions of poisoning.
- Personal Doctor’s Testimony: Dr. R.N. Chugh, Shastri’s personal physician, was allegedly denied access to his body immediately after his death.
- Family’s Testimony: His wife, Lalita Shastri, claimed his body had dark blue marks, suggesting poisoning.
- Sudden Death of Key Witnesses: Many people associated with his case, including Dr. Chugh, died under mysterious circumstances.
- Missing Documents: Despite multiple RTI (Right to Information) applications, crucial government files related to his death have never been fully declassified.
CIA’s Alleged Role in His Assassination
Several conspiracy theories suggest that Shastri was assassinated by the CIA due to his policies, which were perceived as a threat to US interests.
1. India’s Nuclear Ambitions and the CIA’s Concerns
Shastri was a strong advocate of making India self-reliant in defense, agriculture, and nuclear energy. Reports suggest that he was planning to accelerate India’s nuclear program, something that the US strongly opposed at the time. The CIA, fearing that India might develop nuclear weapons, could have had a motive to eliminate him.
2. The Role of Robert Crowley’s Revelations
In an alleged conversation between journalist Gregory Douglas and former CIA operative Robert Crowley, it was hinted that the CIA had a hand in Shastri’s death. According to these claims, Shastri was poisoned because he refused to comply with US demands regarding India’s nuclear program and foreign policy.
3. The American Dairy Industry Angle
Shastri was also a proponent of India’s self-reliance in milk production, launching the White Revolution with the National Dairy Development Board. Some theorists argue that this threatened American dairy interests, leading to possible CIA involvement in his assassination.
Did Indira Gandhi, CIA, and Pakistan Collaborate to Kill Shastri?
Another controversial theory suggests that Indira Gandhi, with the backing of the CIA and Pakistan, played a role in Shastri’s death to pave her way to becoming Prime Minister of India.
1. Indira Gandhi’s Political Ambitions
Indira Gandhi was a key figure in Indian politics, and some believe she was eager to take over leadership. After Shastri’s death, she was quickly chosen as the next Prime Minister, raising suspicions that his sudden demise was orchestrated to ensure her rise to power.
2. Pakistan’s Motive
After the 1965 war, Shastri had firmly established India as a military power. His leadership was a threat to Pakistan, and some believe that elements within the Pakistani establishment might have collaborated in an assassination plot to weaken India.
3. CIA’s Influence on Indian Politics
The CIA has been accused of meddling in Indian politics during the Cold War. It is speculated that the agency saw Indira Gandhi as a more controllable leader than Shastri, whose policies leaned towards self-reliance and independence from Western powers. This theory suggests that the CIA might have worked behind the scenes to remove Shastri and promote Gandhi.
While no direct evidence proves this conspiracy, the circumstantial factors surrounding Shastri’s death, the rapid political transition, and the refusal to release government documents continue to fuel suspicions.
The Soviet Connection: Was the KGB Aware?
The Soviet Union, where Shastri died, has also been suspected of knowing more about his death than was officially revealed. Some theorists believe that Soviet intelligence (KGB) had access to the truth but suppressed information to maintain diplomatic relations.
Indira Gandhi Denied a Formal Investigation
It has been reported that the Soviet Union urged Indira Gandhi to conduct a thorough investigation into Shastri’s death. However, Indira Gandhi allegedly refused to pursue the matter further. Some sources claim that she was aware of the circumstances but chose to keep the details undisclosed. This refusal to investigate added to the suspicions surrounding her potential involvement or knowledge of the conspiracy. A leaked Soviet report allegedly suggested that Moscow was willing to provide intelligence on Shastri’s death, but India’s government, under Indira Gandhi, opted to suppress the findings.
Attempts to Uncover the Truth
Despite repeated efforts, the Indian government has refused to declassify all documents related to Shastri’s death. In 2009, Anuj Dhar, an investigative journalist, filed an RTI application seeking these documents, but the government denied access, citing national security concerns. The refusal to release these files only fuels further speculation.
Conclusion: A Mystery That Still Haunts India
More than five decades later, Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death remains one of India’s biggest political mysteries. The lack of a post-mortem, the unexplained deaths of witnesses, missing government files, and possible foreign intelligence involvement all point to the need for a fresh and transparent investigation.
Was Shastri’s death a natural one, or was he assassinated? While no conclusive proof exists, the many inconsistencies in the official account make it imperative for the Indian government to declassify all related documents and allow a thorough inquiry. Until that happens, the mystery of Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death will continue to haunt India’s political history.
By BHARAT GLOBAL TIME
