Giani Zail Singh was elected to the highest office of the President of India on 15th July, 1982, unanimously and took the oath of office on 25th July, 1982. He succeeded Neelam Sanjiva Reddy as the President of India and held the president-ship for a full term.
He was known for his lifelong loyalty towards the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. His presidency was, however, marked by several controversial events like Operation Blue Star and the anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi ordered the army and police force to combat Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers in the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Government troops stormed the complex, and killed the militants who had been demanding Khalistan, an independent country for Sikhs.
Even though some events like Operation Blue Star and the anti-Sikh riot cloued his tenure, some decisions taken by him won him popularity. He refused to sign the Postal Amendment Bill in 1986, which earned him applause from the civil society.
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