Economic policy of the Indira Gandhi government

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Indira Gandhi
1966–1977
1980–1984

Premiership

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The economic policy of the Indira Gandhi premiership was characterized by moderate tax increases on higher income Indians, bank nationalisation, and the green revolution. Gandhi presided over three Five-Year Plans as Prime Minister, two of which succeeded in meeting the targeted growth.[1]

There is considerable debate regarding whether Gandhi was a socialist on principle or out of political expediency.[citation needed] Sunanda K. Datta-Ray described her as "a master of rhetoric...often more posture than policy", while The Times journalist, Peter Hazelhurst, famously quipped that Gandhi's socialism was "slightly left of self-interest."[2] Critics have focused on the contradictions in the evolution of her stance towards communism; Gandhi being known for her anti-communist stance in the 1950s with Meghnad Desai even describing her as "the scourge of [India's] Communist Party."[3] Yet, she later forged close relations with Indian communists even while using the army to break the Naxalites. In this context, Gandhi was accused of formulating populist policies to suit her political needs; being seemingly against the rich and big business while preserving the status quo in order to manipulate the support of the left at times of political insecurity, such as the late 1960s.[4][5] Although Gandhi came to be viewed in time as the scourge of the right-wing and reactionary political elements of India, leftist opposition to her policies emerged. As early as 1969, critics had begun accusing her of insincerity and machiavellianism. The Indian Libertarian wrote that: "it would be difficult to find a more machiavellian leftist than Mrs Indira Gandhi...for here is Machiavelli at its best in the person of a suave, charming and astute politician."[6] Rosser wrote that "some have even seen the declaration of emergency rule in 1975 as a move to suppress [leftist] dissent against Gandhi's policy shift to the right."[citation needed] In the 1980s, Gandhi was accused of "betraying socialism" after the beginning of Operation Forward, an attempt at economic reform.[7] Nevertheless, others were more convinced of Gandhi's sincerity and devotion to socialism. Pankaj Vohra noted that "even the late prime minister's critics would concede that the maximum number of legislations of social significance was brought about during her tenure...[and that] she lives in the hearts of millions of Indians who shared her concern for the poor and weaker sections and who supported her politics."[8]

In summarizing the biographical works on Gandhi, Blema S. Steinberg concluded she was decidedly non-ideological.[9] Only 7.4% (24) of the total 330 biographical extractions posit ideology as a reason for her policy choices.[9] Steinberg noted Gandhi's association with socialism was superficial; only having a general and traditional commitment to the ideology, by way of her political and family ties.[9] Gandhi personally had a fuzzy concept of socialism. In one of the early interviews she had given as Prime Minister, Gandhi had ruminated: "I suppose you could call me a socialist, but you have understand what we mean by that term...we used the word [socialism] because it came closest to what we wanted to do here – which is to eradicate poverty. You can call it socialism; but if by using that word we arouse controversy, I don't see why we should use it. I don't believe in words at all."[9] Regardless of the debate over her ideology or lack of thereof, Gandhi remains a left-wing icon. She has been described by Hindustan Times columnist, Pankaj Vohra as "arguably the greatest mass leader of the last century."[8] Her campaign slogan, Garibi Hatao ('Remove Poverty'), has become the iconic motto of the Indian National Congress[citation needed]. To the rural and urban poor, untouchables, minorities and women in India, Gandhi was "Indira Amma or Mother Indira."[10]

  1. ^ L. N. Dash (2000). World bank and economic development of India. APH Publishing. p. 375. ISBN 978-81-7648-121-2.
  2. ^ "Indira – terror personified or goddess?". Timeshighereducation.co.uk. 7 December 2001. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  3. ^ Desai, Meghnad (2011). The Rediscovery Of India. Penguin Books India. p. 346. ISBN 978-0143417354.
  4. ^ Malik 1988, p. 60-72.
  5. ^ Jaffrelot, Christoph (2003). India's Silent Revolution: The Rise of the Lower Castes in North India. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. pp. 131–142. ISBN 978-1850653981.
  6. ^ The Indian Libertarian, Volume 15–17. 1969. University of Virginia.
  7. ^ Sunanda K. Datta-Ray; Indira Gandhi: Enigma, Mother-Goddess and Terror Incernate. 3 November 1994. The Straits Times (Singapore).
  8. ^ a b "The original aam aadmi leader". Hindustantimes.com. 1 November 2009. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d Steinberg, Blema (2008). Women in Power: The Personalities and Leadership Styles of Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, and Margaret Thatcher. McGill-Queen's Press. pp. 79–95. ISBN 9780-773533561.
  10. ^ Chandra, Bipan; Aditya Mukherjee; Mridula Mukherjee (2008). India Since Independence. Penguin Books India. p. 335. ISBN 978-0143104094.