With an eye to the forthcoming Gujarat Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said some parties and some of former Governments have tried to run down and erase the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in unifying the country immediately after Independence. The PM was flagging off the “Run for Unity” to commemorate the 142nd birth anniversary of Patel here.
“There have been attempts to run down Patel to ensure that his contribution is forgotten. But Sardar is Sardar, whether any Government or any party recognises his contribution or not, the nation and the youth will not forget him. The youth of India respect him for his contribution towards the nation-building,” he said without naming any Government or party.
The PM said due to the statesmanship and political acumen of the country’s first Home Minister, India is united today despite the colonial rulers’ wish that it was disintegrated into smaller States after Independence. Modi’s comment bears significance as it came ahead of the Assembly elections in Gujarat, the State Patel belonged to.
Paying rich tribute
to Patel, Modi said the Iron Man had not only saved the country from the difficulties being faced immediately after Independence, but succeeded in uniting the whole nation.
“The British Government wished that India was disintegrated into smaller states. But Patel used all means (Sam, dam, dand, bhed) and succeeded in uniting all princely states into a single nation within a very small span of time,” Modi said. The PM said generation after generation of Indians will continue to remember Patel, particularly the youth, who will carry forward his legacy.
The “Run for Unity”, which began from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, saw the participation of a large number of people, including sports personalities like Sardar Singh, Deepa Karmakar, Suresh Raina and Karnam Malleswari. The 1.5 km run came to an end near the India Gate C-Hexagon-Shah Jahan Road radial.
Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with Modi paid floral tributes to Patel on Parliament Street, where his statue is installed.
“We salute Sardar Patel on his Jayanti. His momentous service and monumental contribution to India can never be forgotten,” he said. Stressing that the diversity is India’s strength, Modi said there are many languages, religion, culture, customs, lifestyles and food habits, “but these are our strength and these are our bright future. India is proud of our diversity”.
The PM said first President of India Rajendra Prasad had said that India became a united nation only due to administrative acumen and strong leadership of Patel but the country was not giving him due respect. “Rajendra Babu must be happy now, wherever his soul is, that we are remembering the contribution of Patel,” said Modi.
At the beginning of his speech, Modi also paid tribute to former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary.
Paying tribute to Patel, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said apart from uniting the nation, Patel also succeeded in facing the challenge of communal violence which broke out soon after the Independence.