Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invoked Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision of a united India while addressing the nation at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations held at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.
Marking the 150th birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, he said the world had witnessed India’s resolve during ‘Operation Sindoor’, declaring, “Bharat ghar mein ghus kar maarta hai”, a message of India’s strength and determination.
The Prime Minister said that after 2014, the nation once again experienced the iron will and unifying force of Sardar Patel.
He highlighted that the abrogation of Article 370 completed Kashmir’s integration with the Indian Union. “Even Pakistan and the masterminds of terrorism have realised the true strength of India,” he said.
Aiming for the Congress, PM Modi alleged that earlier governments had failed to uphold Patel’s ideals of sovereignty and unity. “Mistakes in handling Kashmir, the rise of Naxalism, and unrest in the Northeast were consequences of that weakness,” he said.
He claimed that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s decisions prevented Patel’s plan for Kashmir’s full integration. “Kashmir was divided with a separate constitution and a separate flag. Congress forgot Sardar Saheb’s vision, but we did not,” he added.
Asserting India’s security and cultural strength
Highlighting India’s current security approach, PM Modi said that his government had taken decisive steps against infiltration.
“For decades, foreign infiltrators disturbed our demographic balance while earlier governments ignored the issue for vote-bank politics. We are now taking firm action to protect India’s integrity,” he stated.
He paid tribute to India’s police and armed forces, saying, “It is our government that established the National Police Memorial and honoured our martyrs.”
Emphasising India’s deep cultural roots, PM Modi said that national unity extended beyond politics. “India’s culture has kept us united for thousands of years,” he said, citing initiatives like the Kashi Tamil Sangam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangam that revive ancient bonds.
Before his address, PM Modi offered floral tributes at the 182-metre Statue of Unity and administered the Ekta Diwas pledge, reaffirming the nation’s collective commitment to integrity and strength.
Also Read: PM Modi Hails Sardar Patel’s Role In Uniting India On 150th Birth Anniversary
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