National Unity Day: 'Even Sardar Patel would have been surprised...', Congress targets BJP-RSS on Iron Man's birth anniversary

On the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Congress party on Friday targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Congress party said that even its selfless leaders would be shocked if they knew they were being misused. In Patel's own words, this ideology created an environment that made such a horrific incident as the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi possible.

What did the Congress say on Patel's birth anniversary?

Congress General Secretary and Communications charge Jairam Ramesh said that two groups (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah) and their machinery have been brazenly distorting history, especially since 2014. Ramesh wrote on Twitter, "Today, as a grateful nation celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, we must remember that on February 13, 1949, Jawaharlal Nehru unveiled the statue of Sardar Patel in Godhra, where he began his legal career." Nehru's speech should be reread to understand their strong and deep partnership of over three decades.

'Patel-Nehru Partnership of Over Three Decades'

Ramesh said that on the occasion of Sardar Patel's 75th birth anniversary, Nehru had said that despite Patel's long and distinguished record of service, he shouldered important responsibilities in the country and that he shared thirty years of national activities with him. During these years, amidst turmoil and major events, Patel emerged as an influential leader to whom a large number of people looked for guidance.

Nehru chose the words "Architect of India's Unity" for Patel.

The Congress leader further said that on September 19, 1963, then-President S. Radhakrishnan unveiled a statue of Sardar Patel at New Delhi's prominent Gol Chakrosh, near the Parliament House and the Election Commission office. Nehru was also present at the time and chose the simple but powerful words "Architect of India's Unity" for the statue.

Indira Gandhi also remembered Patel's contributions.

He recalled that on October 31, 1975, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi presided over the closing ceremony of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's centenary year and widely remembered his many achievements and contributions.

'G2 and their system distorting history'

Ramesh said, especially since 2014, history has been brazenly distorted and misrepresented by a group of two people (G2) and their system. The Congress leader further said that selfless leaders would have been shocked by their misuse, as this ideology played no role in the freedom struggle or the making of the Constitution, and, in Patel's words, it created an environment that made the horrific tragedy of January 30, 1948, possible.

Sardar Patel was a prominent leader of the freedom struggle.

Born in Nadiad, Gujarat, in 1875, Patel was a prominent leader of the freedom struggle. He is remembered as the "Iron Man of India" for his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to the nation's unification. He died in 1950.