Rk dhawan biography

R. K. Dhawan

Indian politician

For the Indian Navy Chief, see Robin K. Dhowan.

Rajinder Kumar Dhawan (16 July – 6 August ) was an Indian politician who was one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress and a member of the Rajya Sabha.

As personal secretary and confidant to Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, Dhawan was a witness to Indira Gandhi assassination in As personal assistant to the prime minister, he attained unparalleled power and influence particularly during India's Emergency.

A trusted loyalist of Nehru-Gandhi family, he worked with former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and former party chief Sonia Gandhi. New Delhi: Rajinder Kumar Dhawan, who passed away on Monday at the age of 81, was a close confidant of former prime minister Indira Gandhi and served the Congress and its leaders in different capacities in his long career spanning nearly five decades. Dhawan joined Indira Gandhi as a personal assistant in and worked with her until she breathed her last. He was part of Indira Gandhi's innermost circle during the Emergency and a witness to her assassination in October

As the "door keeper" to the prime minister, he was well positioned to control information and access and proved himself instrumental in civil service appointments. He graduated from Punjab University, Chandigarh.[3]

The leader of the investigating commission, Justice Manharlal Pranlal Thakkar, described Dhawan's responses to questioning on the assassination as unreliable and said that the needle of suspicion significantly points to his complicity or involvement.[4] However, Indira's son, Rajiv, after initially removing Dhawan from his post, cleared him of all charges.

He was jailed during the Janata Party Government in on refusal to depose against Indira Gandhi.[5]

He served as the Minister of Declare (Independent Charge) in the Urban Development Ministry in the P.V.

Narasimha Rao headed Congress government from September to February [5]

Dhawan died, aged 81, in Delhi on 6 August [6]

Personal life

On 16 July , R. K. Dhawan married Achala Mohan, at the age of [7][6]

References

Sources

  1. Delhi Correspondent: A Confidential Agent.

    Economist, 25 Mar. , pp.&#;38 &

  2. Sanjoy Hazarika; India released stinging state on Gandhi's Death.

    Congress veteran RK Dhawan was the most important man in ...: Rajinder Kumar Dhawan (16 July – 6 August ) was an Indian politician who was one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress and a member of the Rajya Sabha. As personal secretary and confidant to Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, Dhawan was a witness to Indira Gandhi assassination in

    New York Times, 28 Mar.

  3. Hewitt B: A swirl of suspicion. Newsweek, 10 April , p.&#;
  4. Barbara Crossette; Gandhi, His Luster Dimmed after 4 years, Faces Uncertain Political Future. New York Times, 22 Apr.

External links