‘Patel was ignored for four decades’: Nadda accuses Congress, praises Modi’s tribute

BJP national president J. P. Nadda on Saturday said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s defining contribution to the unification of India had been systematically downplayed for decades after Independence, alleging that successive Congress governments had ensured that the country’s first Home Minister was not accorded the recognition he “rightfully deserved”.

These remarks were made during the Sardar @150 Unity March, which was flagged off by Nadda to commemorate Patel’s birth anniversary and reinforce his legacy of national integration.

In his address, it was highlighted by Nadda that India had been intended to remain weak and divided under British rule. He said that while political freedom was achieved in 1947, freedom from the divisive colonial mindset was secured only through Patel’s decisive and strategic intervention.

It was noted that 562 princely states had been integrated into the Indian Union through Patel’s diplomatic resolve and administrative command. Nadda said India had been “transformed from a fragmented territory into a strong, united nation”, embodying the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.

However, Nadda said that this monumental achievement had been ignored and undervalued in the decades following Independence. According to him, “the respect that should have been accorded to Sardar Patel was deliberately withheld for malicious and self-serving reasons” during Congress rule between 1950 and 1991. He alleged that “conspiracies were hatched” to ensure that Patel was neither honoured appropriately nor presented in the rightful light in historical narratives.

It was further pointed out that despite remaining in power for four decades, Congress prime ministers did not confer the Bharat Ratna upon Patel.

Nadda said that this historical imbalance had been corrected only under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was asserted by him that “Sardar Patel’s rightful place in the nation’s history has been restored by Prime Minister Modi”, who had ensured that Patel’s legacy was recognised at the national and global level. He added that the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, the world’s tallest statue, had been constructed under Modi’s leadership as a “true and unparalleled tribute” to Patel.

During the event, it was also stated by Nadda that every citizen must know about Sardar Patel, read about his life, and pass his message of unity and strength to future generations. He said Patel’s ideals must continue to inspire India’s youth and guide the nation’s collective progress.

Emphasising the values needed for the nation’s journey ahead, Nadda further stated that “simplicity, straightforwardness, gentleness and respect” must be adopted by every citizen, adding that “with these qualities, the journey towards ‘Viksit Bharat 2024’ has to be undertaken”.

Nadda said the Sardar @150 Unity March had been organised to ensure that Patel’s vision “is preserved, remembered, and carried forward with commitment by future generations”.