Response Paper #11: "Chekov and Zulu"

The characters in "Chekov and Zulu" are impacted by the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984. While you should listen to the prerecorded lecture, I've also included this short summary from the New York Times (Links to an external site.) for additional reference:

On Oct. 31, 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated near her residence by two vengeance-seeking Sikh security guards. The men were angry at Gandhi’s authorization of a military attack on a revered Sikh temple in Amritsar five months earlier.

Gandhi, the daughter of Indian independence leader and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, first acceded to prime minister in 1966. Her New York Times obituary described her as “strong-willed, autocratic and determined to govern an almost ungovernable nation that seemed always in strife” and “a decisive—some said dictatorial—leader.”

Her first three terms in office, from 1966 to 1977, were marked by war with Pakistan, the country’s development of a nuclear bomb and her continued refusal to formally align India with the United States or Soviet Russia during the Cold War. She faced charges of corruption that compelled her to declare a “state of emergency” and arrest her political opponents in 1975. She was voted out of office in 1977 and briefly imprisoned, but returned to power in 1980. Her obituary noted: “Not everyone thought of her in kind terms, but all knew who ‘She’ was, and her assassination leaves an incalculable void in the life of the country.”

Gandhi, who was often accused of trying to establish dynastic rule, was succeeded by her son, Rajiv, who had been groomed for the position since the 1980 death of his brother Sanjay. Rajiv served five years as prime minister until his assassination in 1991 by Sri Lankan rebels. His widow Sonia Gandhi is currently the head of the Indian National Congress party, though she declined the opportunity to become prime minister.

How does Salman Rushdie's incorporation of various pop/cultural/historical references reflect upon broader themes of Indian nationalism and postcolonialism? The recorded lecture will provide context to guide your response. As a part of your submission, include any other thoughts, impressions, etc. Do not summarize the story.