"Sardar Patel not given adequate respect," says Union Minister Amit Shah; credits PM Modi for honouring leader

New Delhi [India], October 31 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did not receive the respect he deserved from the Congress government at the time, emphasising that India's first home minister was awarded the Bharat Ratna after a delay of 41 years.
On the occasion of National Unity Day, the Union Home Minister credited PM Modi for conceptualising the Statue of Unity idea and building a grand memorial in Sardar Patel's honour.
"Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was not given the adequate respect by the Congress government of that time. Sardar Patel was awarded the Bharat Ratna after a delay of 41 years...Neither a memorial nor a monument was built anywhere in the country...It was only when Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat that he conceptualized the Statue of Unity and built a grand memorial in Sardar Patel's honor..." said Shah.
Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off 'Run for Unity' from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, which is celebrated in honour of the birth anniversary of India's first Home Minister.
During the 'Run for Unity' event, the Union Home Minister praised Sardar Patel, stating that modern India is a result of Patel's vision and efforts. He further pointed out that Prime Minister Modi has fulfilled Sardar Patel's resolve by abrogating Article 370.
"After India's independence, the British decided to leave the country divided into 562 princely states...Within a short span of time, Sardar Patel accomplished the monumental task of integrating all 562 princely states, and the map of modern India that we see today is the result of his vision and efforts...By unifying Kashmir with India by abrogating Article 370, PM Modi fulfilled the resolve of Sardar Patel..." said Shah.
The Union Home Minister also paid floral tribute to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In a post on X, Shah praised Sardar Patel's dedication to the welfare of farmers.
"On the occasion of his birth anniversary, I pay homage to the Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji, a symbol of national unity, integrity, and the empowerment of farmers, on behalf of a grateful nation. Sardar Sahab strengthened the unity and security of the country by integrating the princely states and advanced the nation toward self-employment and self-reliance by connecting farmers, backward classes, and the deprived with cooperatives. His firm belief was that the axis of the country's development lies in the prosperity of farmers. He remained dedicated throughout his life to the welfare of farmers and the protection of their rights. It is the duty of every patriot to safeguard the nation that Sardar Sahab built, bound by the principles of justice and unity," the Home Minister posted on X. (ANI)