Jammu, Dec 1 (JKNS): At the the “Sardar@150 Unity March” in Vadodara event Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that India’s history especially that of Jammu & Kashmir would have been fundamentally different had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel been given full responsibility for its integration in 1947.
He highlighted Patel’s unwavering stance on national unity and praised the transformative initiatives being carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As per news agency JKNS, Sinha joined the “Sardar@150 Unity March (Padyatra)” at Vadodara, Gujarat. The National Padyatra, which began at Sardar Patel’s family home in Karamsad, will cover nearly 190 km in 11 days and will conclude at the Statue of Unity on 6th December.
Addressing the event on the theme “Kashmir, Hyderabad and Sardar”, the Lieutenant Governor said Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel would have ensured complete and irreversible integration of Jammu Kashmir if he had handled its affairs.
“History of J&K would have been different if Sardar Patel had been given full responsibility for its integration in 1947,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that despite not directly handling Jammu Kashmir, Sardar Patel ensured it remained an integral part of India. From the very beginning, Patel had asserted that not even an inch of Jammu Kashmir would be given to Pakistan.
“Sardar Patel had opposed the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s policy towards Jammu Kashmir. He was also against taking the issue to the United Nations. In one of his public rallies, Sardar Patel had categorically spoken about complete integration of Jammu Kashmir, and his decisive action would have altered the course of history,” the Lieutenant Governor added.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that Sardar Patel’s vision of unity, equality and social justice continues to guide the nation’s progress.
“As an architect of modern India, Sardar Patel symbolises India’s self-confidence, self-respect and bravery. His values of integrity, decisiveness and selfless service inspire us to build a strong, self-reliant and developed India,” LG Sinha said.
He added that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is fulfilling Patel’s dream of national unity.
“With abrogation of Article 370, he has woven the entire nation into a thread of unity and realised the vision of one flag, one constitution and one leader in one country,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The LG highlighted various national initiatives under the Prime Minister that have strengthened unity across the country.
The Lieutenant Governor also urged the youth to reinforce the three pillars of unity shared values, shared identity and a common national purpose. (JKNS)
