New Delhi, June 23:Former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi and her son Varun Gandhi on Tuesday paid homage to late Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi on his 46th death anniversary at Shanti Van in New Delhi.

The mother-son duo visited the memorial to remember Sanjay Gandhi, who died in a tragic air crash on June 23, 1980. Family members and well-wishers gathered to pay their respects to the former parliamentarian, whose political career was cut short at the age of 33.

Meanwhile, Indian National Congress also commemorated Sanjay Gandhi’s death anniversary. In a message posted on X, the party remembered his dedication to public service and his efforts to engage young people in nation-building.

“Tributes to former Member of Parliament Sanjay Gandhi on his death anniversary. His commitment to public service and efforts to connect the youth with nation-building will always be remembered. Respectful homage to his memory,” the Congress said in its post.

Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was elected from Amethi in the 1980 general elections and was appointed General Secretary of the Congress Party in May 1980.

Just a month later, on June 23, 1980, he was killed in an air crash near Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi while flying a new aircraft belonging to the Delhi Flying Club. The aircraft reportedly lost control during an aerobatic manoeuvre and crashed, killing both Sanjay Gandhi and the co-passenger, Captain Subhash Saxena.

Despite his brief political career, Sanjay Gandhi remains a significant and often controversial figure in Indian politics, remembered for his influence within the Congress party and his role in shaping youth participation in public affairs.