To what extent was Rajiv Gandhi successful in dealing with the social and political challenges in India?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that Rajiv Gandhi was successful in dealing with the social and political challenges in India. Candidates may offer equal coverage of social and political, or they may emphasize their assessment of one, but both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to him becoming prime minister after his mother’s assassination and his subsequent landslide election victory. They may identify his social successes with regard to the expansion of education; the support for women in modifying the dowry laws and in encouraging the vocational training of girls; the recognition of Muslim and Sikh issues; but the negative effects of the Shah Bano divorce rulings may also be considered. Candidates may identify his political successes to include international relations and the anti-defection law, but they may also look at controversial aspects such as the martial law in the Punjab, the Bofors scandal and his handling of the Bhopal disaster. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example, Indian involvement in Sri Lanka, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that Rajiv Gandhi was successful in dealing with the social and political challenges in India. There were a few responses to this question. The only responses seen unfortunately were irrelevant as candidates had written about Mahatma Gandhi. It is important that candidates who prepare for questions on the unit relating to Mahatma Gandhi are also aware that there may be questions on the paper relating to Rajiv Gandhi.