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Singh praised Patel as a true secular leader who upheld the principles of inclusivity without appeasing any group.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (IMAGE: PTI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday claimed that India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had proposed building the Babri Masjid using public funds, but Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel opposed the idea and prevented its implementation.
Speaking at a gathering in Sadhli village near Vadodara, as part of the ‘Unity March’ to commemorate Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, Singh praised Patel as a true secular leader who upheld the principles of inclusivity without appeasing any group.
“Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to build the Babri Masjid (in Ayodhya) using public funds. If anyone opposed this proposal, it was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, born to a Gujarati mother. He didn’t allow the Babri Masjid to be built using public funds,” Singh said.
Singh went on to explain how Patel supported the restoration of the Somnath Temple, but with a clear distinction: funds for the temple’s restoration came from public donations, not government coffers.
“Not single penny of the government’s money had been spent on this (Somnath temple) work. Similarly, the government didn’t give a single rupee to construct the Ram Temple in Ayodhya… This is called real secularism,” Singh remarked.
The Minister further hailed Patel for his selfless contribution to the nation, asserting that despite having the ability to become India’s Prime Minister, Patel never sought high office. His unwavering commitment to India’s unity and his promise to Mahatma Gandhi was more important than any political position, Singh said.
Singh also recalled the 1946 Congress elections, where Patel had withdrawn his nomination for Congress President at Gandhi’s request, making way for Nehru to assume the position.
Referring to attempts to erase Patel’s legacy, Singh claimed that some political forces sought to diminish the role of Sardar Patel in shaping India’s destiny. However, Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts in re-establishing Patel’s stature, particularly through the creation of the Statue of Unity, a monumental tribute to the leader.
The Defence Minister also recalled how, after Patel’s death, funds collected for his memorial were diverted by Nehru, who suggested they be used for the construction of roads and wells instead. Singh described this as a “farce,” pointing out that it was the government’s responsibility to build such infrastructure, not a memorial fund.
Singh emphasised that while Nehru had awarded himself the Bharat Ratna, Patel, despite his monumental contributions to the nation, had not been similarly honoured during his lifetime. “It was only under PM Modi that Sardar Patel was finally recognised with the Bharat Ratna through the Statue of Unity,” Singh added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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