Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Gandhi Statue Dispute, Hindi Assurance, Economy Praise and Arrests
Several important reports were published on October 2, 1986.
A ceremony was planned for a large statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Washington.
New York’s mayor would not unveil it, and Indian officials would not attend.
Bayard Rustin, a civil rights leader, was scheduled to lead the ceremony instead.
In India, Tamil Nadu’s chief minister asked about concerns over the use of Hindi.
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assured him that Hindi would not be forced on Tamil Nadu.
U.S. President Ronald Reagan said India was moving toward greater economic freedom.
Separately, three people were arrested in Durg and two illegal revolvers were found.
New York’s mayor declined to unveil an eight-foot Mahatma Gandhi statue in Washington, while no Indian official was expected to attend.
Civil rights leader Bayard Rustin was set to lead the Gandhi statue ceremony.
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran that the Centre would not impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu.
U.S. President Ronald Reagan praised India for embracing economic freedom and challenging state control and regulation.
Three more people, including a woman, were arrested in Durg in the Vaidya case, and two unlicensed revolvers were recovered.
- Who
- Mahatma Gandhi, Bayard Rustin, Rajiv Gandhi, M.G. Ramachandran, Ronald Reagan, and people arrested in the Vaidya case.
- What
- Reports covered a Gandhi statue ceremony, an assurance on Hindi, Reagan’s comments on India’s economy, and arrests in the Vaidya case.
- When
- October 2, 1986.
- Where
- Washington; New Delhi and Madras in India; Durg; and the United States.
- Why
- The statue ceremony proceeded amid official nonattendance; Ramachandran raised concerns about a Hindi-related circular; Reagan was discussing economic policy; and authorities were investigating the Vaidya case.
Tamil Nadu Concerns
Central Government Assurance
Use of Hindi
Tamil Nadu Concerns
Strong feelings were reported among people in Tamil Nadu after a Press Information Bureau circular in Madras addressed the use of Hindi as the official language.
Central Government Assurance
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assured Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran that the Centre had no intention of imposing Hindi on the people of Tamil Nadu.
- Gandhi statue
- The statue was eight feet high and located at Union Park in Washington.
- Ceremony leader
- Bayard Rustin was scheduled to lead the ceremony.
- Hindi assurance
- Rajiv Gandhi told M.G. Ramachandran that the Centre had no intention of imposing Hindi on Tamil Nadu.
- Meeting
- Ramachandran and Rajiv Gandhi met for 50 minutes at the Prime Minister’s office in New Delhi.
- Economic statement
- Ronald Reagan said India had captured the spirit of economic freedom.
- Vaidya case arrests
- Three more people, including a woman, were arrested in Durg.
- Weapons recovered
- Two unlicensed revolvers were recovered during raids and searches.