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Background
• Nehru’s death provided a challenge to the Indian political system. Contradicting the predictions that the Indian political system and congress will fall into turmoil in the issue of succession, it happened in a mature manner showing the strength of Indian democracy.
• The succession occurred under the direction of a group of Congress leaders who came to be collectively known as the Syndicate.
• The Syndicate group, formed in 1963, consisted of K. Kamaraj, the Congress president, and regional party bosses, Atulya Ghosh of Bengal, S.K. Patil of Bombay, N. Sanjeeva Reddy of Andhra Pradesh, and S. Nijalingappa of Mysore (Karnataka).
• When they had to decide between Shastri and Morarji Desai they favoured Shastri because, in addition to his other qualities, he had wider acceptability in the party which would keep the party united.
• Shastri, elected unopposed as the parliamentary leader by the party MPs, was sworn in as prime minister on 2 June 1964.
Lal Bahadur Shastri as PM
• Shastri did not make any major changes in Nehru’s cabinet, except for persuading Indira Gandhi to join it as Minister of Information and Broadcasting.
• Under him, the cabinet ministers functioned more autonomously. He also did not interfere in party affairs or with the working of the state governments.
Problems Faced by India During Shastri’s Prime Ministership are
• The problem of the official language of Hindi versus English flared up in 1965.
• The demands for a Punjabi Suba (state) and Goa’s merger with Maharashtra were also allowed to simmer.
The Indian economy had been stagnating in the previous few years. There had been a slowdown in the rate of industrial growth and the balance of payments problem had worsened.
• The most serious problem was the severe shortage of food. Agricultural production had slowed down, there was severe drought in several states in 1965 and buffer food stocks were depleted to a dangerous extent.
• Clearly, long-term measures were needed to deal with the situation. But those were not taken, particularly as the chief ministers of food grain-surplus states refused to cooperate.
• After the US suspended all food aid because of the Indo- Pak war, the government was compelled to introduce statutory rationing, but it covered only seven major cities.
• The government also created the State Food Trading Corporation in January 1965, but it did not succeed in procuring a significant amount of food grains.
• However, one positive development was the initiation of the Green Revolution strategy with the purpose of increasing agricultural output and achieving self- sufficiency in food in the long run
SHASTRI ERA
Tashkent Declaration
The Tashkent Declaration was a peace agreement signed between India and Pakistan to resolve the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965 (August 5, 1965 September 23rd 1965). It was signed at Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan which in turn was a part of one of the republics that comprised of the USSR. The main aim was to restore economic and diplomatic relationships in the respective countries and to keep away from each other's internal and external affairs, and to work towards the progress of bilateral relations.
Role of Shastri in Post Independence Consolidation of India
Security:
• Shastri’s military acumen became evident in his handling of Pakistan’s surprise attack on Kashmir.
• From the outset, Shastri responded to Pakistani provocations with strong statements in Parliament, clearly outlining India’s red lines.
• His effective management of the 1965 war strengthened India’s military framework and enhanced the capabilities of India’s military intelligence, especially when compared to the 1962 conflict.
International
• By refraining from seeking UNSC intervention, Shastri emphasized that Kashmir was a bilateral issue, reinforcing India’s stance in global diplomacy as firm and uncompromising.
Agriculture
• Shastri’s iconic slogan, “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” (“Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer”), resonated across the nation, uniting people behind the two pillars that supported India: the soldiers and the farmers. This rallying cry, first voiced in 1965 at a public gathering in Uruwa, Prayagraj, highlighted his recognition of their central role in India’s progress.
• Amid persistent droughts, Shastri understood the critical need for food security and passionately promoted the Green Revolution, setting India on a path toward self- sufficiency in food production.
Economic:
• As Rail Minister, Shastri championed projects aimed at upgrading and electrifying India’s railways, marking a significant step toward the modernization of the country’s infrastructure.
Criticisms:
• Shastri faced criticism for his inability to secure a stronger agreement at the Tashkent Conference regarding Pakistan.
• Early on, some critics labelled him “a prisoner of indecision,” accusing him of failing to provide clear direction for government policies or assert control over his cabinet colleagues.
• Over time, however, Shastri grew into a more independent leader, gaining confidence and asserting his authority in governance.
Points To Remember
After Nehru’s death, the Syndicate group, formed in 1963, had to decide between Shastri and Morarji Desai. They favoured Shastri as he had wider acceptability in addition to his other qualities.
Problems Faced by India During Shastri’s Prime Ministership:
Official language issue of 1965
Punjab Suba demand
severe shortage of food
India Pakistan 1965 war
Role of Shastri in Post Independence Consolidation of India:
Security
Successful handling of the 1965 war.
International
He set the stage for India’s diplomatic stance in world politics, as firm and uncompromising.
Agriculture
unifying call of “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”.
promotion of green revolution.
Economic
Railway up-gradation and electrification