Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel gave a message to the world that nobody can destroy the unity and integrity of India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday, on the occasion of Patel's birth anniversary.
“Kevadia (where a 182m-tall statue of Sardar Patel is located) is not just any place today; it has become a shrine of national unity and patriotism,” Shah said at the site in Gujarat. Patel's birth anniversary is celebrated as National Unity Day.
Taking a jibe at the previous Congress-led governments, Shah alleged attempts had been made to forget Sardar Patel. "After Independence, his contributions were never given due respect. He was neither given Bharat Ratna nor proper respect. Situation changed. He was given Bharat Ratna and this world's tallest statue is before us to see," Shah was quoted by ANI as saying.
Shah declared that Patel had thwarted British attempts to divide the country. "After Independence, while leaving, Britishers had conspired to divide the country into several pieces. Sardar Patel foiled that conspiracy and resolved to make Akhand Bharat," Shah said.
In a video message on National Unity Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is due to Sardar Patel's inspiration that India is today becoming self-reliant in defending itself.
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Sardar Patel was the proponent of a country where everybody should get same opportunity and where everybody has the freedom to pursue his or her dreams, he said.
