Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, on Thursday strongly criticised the Congress, alleging that the party had failed to give due credit to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the leader credited with uniting India.
Shah remarked that it took 41 years after Patel’s death for a Congress government to confer upon him the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian honour.
Addressing a press conference in the lead-up to Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, Shah stated, “After Sardar Patel’s death, the Congress tried to erase his legacy. It took 41 years to give him the Bharat Ratna. But it was Prime Minister Modi who gave him the respect he truly deserved by building the Statue of Unity.”
The Home Minister went on to say, “I have come here to inform you about the 150th anniversary celebrations of Sardar Patel in Kevadia. We all know that Sardar Patel played a pivotal role in uniting India after Independence and in the formation of Ek Bharat. Tomorrow marks his 150th birth anniversary, and since 2014, PM Modi has visited Kevadia every year to pay tributes to him.”
Emphasising the importance of this year’s commemorations, Shah revealed that the Home Ministry had decided to organise a grand parade every year on 31 October, Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary.
“This year, a Run for Unity will also be organised on a massive scale across all states, union territories, districts, and police stations,” he announced.
‘Ek Bharat Parv’ to Celebrate National Unity
The Union Minister also shared that an ‘Ek Bharat Parv’ would take place in Ekta Nagar from 1 to 15 November, culminating on the birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda.
Calling Patel more than a historical figure, Shah asserted, “Sardar Patel is not merely an individual but an ideology. He played a crucial role in India’s freedom struggle and was the backbone of many movements led by Mahatma Gandhi, who affectionately gave him the title of ‘Sardar’.”
Reflecting on Patel’s role in national integration, Shah noted, “When the entire country was celebrating Independence on August 15, Sardar Patel was in the command room, monitoring operations with naval officers to secure Lakshadweep. Because of his leadership, our southern region became stronger and the islands became part of India.”
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