Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Jawaharlal Nehru of preventing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel from merging all of Kashmir with India during a speech on National Unity Day. He criticized the Congress party's historical approach to sovereignty and political inclusivity. Modi highlighted his government's efforts to end such divisions and strengthen national security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a pointed speech at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on Friday at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Narmada district, marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary. He paid floral tribute at the Statue of Unity and presided over the Ekta Diwas Parade.
Modi targeted the Congress for what he called a “spineless attitude” on sovereignty issues. He stated that Patel wanted “all of Kashmir” integrated with India like other princely states, but “Nehruji did not let his wish be fulfilled.” As a result, “Kashmir was divided with a separate constitution and a separate seal,” leading to decades of national turmoil caused by this “mistake committed by the Congress.”
The Prime Minister also accused Congress of fostering “political untouchability,” disrespecting diverse ideologies post-Independence, particularly targeting the RSS. He contrasted this with his BJP-led NDA government's actions over the last 11 years, including building the Statue of Unity, converting Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Delhi house into a memorial, creating a PM Museum for all prime ministers, and awarding Bharat Ratna to leaders like Karpuri Thakur, Pranab Mukherjee, and Padma awards to Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Modi highlighted national security achievements, claiming his government broke the “back of Naxals and Naxalism.” Before 2014, the Indian Constitution was unrecognized in Naxal areas, but now a “massive attack” has been launched, including against “Urban Naxals,” winning the “ideological battle.”
Referring to Operation Sindoor, he criticized past governments for compromising on security, contrasting it with India's firm response: “If anyone raises an eye on India, India will enter their homes and annihilate them.” This reflects the “India of the Iron Man Sardar Patel.”
Modi emphasized linguistic unity, stating India does not enforce one language and considers every language national, promoting mother-tongue education while honoring Tamil and Sanskrit.