Modi’s Remarks at the Statue of Unity
- Modi now said that Jawaharlal Nehru's mistake in the Kashmir issue has long-term effects on this country. He was speaking at a function organized at the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya, Gujarat, to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- According to Modi, Sardar Patel had integrated more than 550 princely states in the post-independence period, and he wanted to merge the entire region of Kashmir with the Indian Union, but Nehru did not agree to his plan, which brought lasting conflict to this region. He further said the decision led to decades of unrest and loss of life in Kashmir.
Patel's Vision and Nehru's Decision
- The Prime Minister referred to Patel as the first Home Minister of India and said that he created history and did not simply write it. He said Kashmir got a separate constitution because Nehru did not allow Patel's plan.
- Modi blamed the policies of the Congress party for allowing Kashmir to fall into the hands of Pakistan. He said that the country had to pay a heavy price for this mistake and Congress weakened India's fight against terrorism. Modi then emphasized that his government corrected this by abrogating Article 370 and integrating Jammu and Kashmir fully into India.
Operation Sindoor and National Security
Modi spoke of Operation Sindoor in his speech as an action that reflected the capability for self-defence that India had. He said the operation proved that India wouldn't compromise on national security, and it could take decisive action when needed.
Modi's Warning Against Infiltrators
- Modi stated that the infiltrators posed a serious threat to India's unity and integrity. He declared that the opposition parties supported such activities for political gains. He asserted that his government was determined to remove such infiltrators from the country.
- Modi also released a special commemorative coin and postage stamp in the memory of Sardar Patel at the event. He reviewed a parade by the armed forces and administered a pledge to protect the unity, integrity, and security of the nation to the participants.
Incident during Patel Jayanti celebration in Kerala
In a private college in Kottayam, Kerala, during celebrations over Patel Jayanti, an accident occurred. The stage collapsed around 8:45 a.m. injuring 16 students.
Tributes and Events Across the Country Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tributes at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel memorial in Delhi. Later, he flagged off the “Run for Unity” from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Shah said Prime Minister Modi fulfilled Sardar Patel's vision of a united India by removing Article 370. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and several other leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, also paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel in the Central Hall of Parliament.
