Vadodara – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday made a series of claims regarding India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, while addressing a gathering at Sadhli village near Vadodara. Speaking as part of a ‘Unity March’ to commemorate Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, Singh asserted that Nehru had intended to construct the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya using public funds, a plan he claimed was thwarted by Patel, whom he described as a secular and principled leader.

Singh said that Patel’s intervention ensured that public money was not diverted to construct religious monuments, highlighting Patel’s commitment to the principle of real secularism. Drawing a comparison with the Somnath Temple restoration, Singh noted that the ₹30 lakh used for the temple’s reconstruction came entirely from donations made by the public, without government expenditure, and stressed that the same principle applied to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, where he claimed no government funds were utilized.

The Defence Minister lauded Patel as a leader who could have assumed the role of Prime Minister, but chose not to pursue it, citing his loyalty to Mahatma Gandhi and his sense of duty to work collaboratively despite ideological differences with Nehru. Singh recounted that in 1946, Patel withdrew his nomination for Congress President on Gandhi’s advice, paving the way for Nehru’s presidency.

Singh also criticised what he described as efforts by “some political forces” to suppress Patel’s legacy. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with re-establishing Patel’s historical prominence, particularly through the construction of the Statue of Unity, and accused previous governments of undervaluing Patel’s contributions, including his lack of recognition with a Bharat Ratna during his lifetime, in contrast to Nehru, who awarded himself the honour.

On another note, Singh shared that after Patel’s death, public donations intended to build a memorial for him were reportedly suggested by Nehru to be redirected for constructing wells and roads. Singh called this proposal “absurd,” arguing that such infrastructure responsibilities fall within the purview of the government and should not compromise Patel’s legacy.

The Defence Minister praised Patel’s approach to governance and crisis resolution, citing his decisive actions in the integration of princely states, particularly the merger of Hyderabad, and his emphasis on dialogue first, followed by firm action when necessary. Singh linked these historical principles to contemporary initiatives under the Modi government, including Operation Sindoor and the abrogation of Article 370, which he said strengthened India’s territorial integrity and strategic autonomy.

Singh’s address framed Patel as a visionary leader whose principles of unity, secularism, and national integrationcontinue to guide India’s political and strategic decisions. The Unity March, flagged off on November 26 from Karamsad town, Patel’s birthplace, is scheduled to culminate at the Statue of Unity on December 6, serving as a tribute to Patel’s enduring legacy and vision for a unified India.

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