Chicago – April 29, 2025
In a heartfelt statement, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared her personal experience of loss and the deep emotions tied to her father’s sacrifice. Speaking publicly for the first time in such a forum, Priyanka recalled the grief she felt at the age of 19 when she received the remains of her father, the late Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991.
She expressed her anger towards the country at that time, feeling betrayed by the government that had failed to protect her father, a national leader. “I had sent my father to you safely, and it was your responsibility to ensure his safety,” Priyanka remarked, visibly emotional. “Instead, I received the pieces of his body wrapped in the national flag.”
Priyanka emphasized that, even as a young woman, she understood the true meaning of martyrdom and sacrifice. Now, at 52 years old, she revealed that this was the first time she had publicly shared these painful thoughts.
The Congress leader also responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments about her father, in which he accused Rajiv Gandhi of altering laws for personal gain. “Modi Ji will not understand that my father did not inherit wealth or material riches,” she said. “He inherited a deep sense of duty and sacrifice for the nation.”
Priyanka further conveyed her connection to the countless farmers and families who have sent their sons to the borders in service of the country, acknowledging the shared pain of losing a loved one for the nation. “When your sons are martyred for this country, I understand the pain in your heart because I feel the same,” she said, reaffirming her deep emotional bond with the sacrifices made by those who serve the nation.
