SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL

SYMBOL OF INDIAN UNITY SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL

Dr. P.J. Sudhakar, Addl. Director General, PIB, Bhopal

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the prominent buiders of modern India. Patel was a great patriot national leader and illustrious son of India. He was instrumental in securing the accession of about 544 princely states into Indian Union and successful in unification of the country. Sardar Patel played a vital role in the history of independent India. As the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, he had to grapple with communal riots and influx of lakhs of refugees in the aftermath of the partition of India. He also contributed for the drafting of the Indian Constitution especially for the inclusion of the fundamental human rights. After the departure of the British from India all the princely states have the option either accede to India or Pakistan or remain independent. The Unification of India was paramount. The Lord Mountbatten, Governor General of India opined that there was only one man Sardar Patel who has the courage, tenacity and strategy to undertake the responsibility of unifying India. His decisiveness enabled the integration of Junagarh and few other western states on the western coast, Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad and Travencore into the Indian Union. Sardar Patel can be compared to Bismark of Germany in the unification of India. Sardar Patel was a leader with the combination of courage, magnamity and toughness. The contribution of Sardar Patel to Indian Freedom struggle is recognised and the Government conferred on him highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 1991. The Indian Constitution Preamble says that the India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Democratic Republic. The Iron Man of India, Mahatma’s Muscle Man, Lenin of Bardoli, and saviour and architect of New India, Sardar Patel was a robust statesman in the Gandhi-Nehru-Patel triumvirate, which was responsible for shaping India’s destiny during the Indian freedom struggle against British. Immediately after Independence, Patel as Deputy Prime Minister of India adroitly dealt with the bewildering problem of integrating into the Indian Union 544 odd princely states. Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the great social leaders of India. Despite the choice of the people, on the request of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel stepped down from the candidacy of Congress president. The election on that occasion eventually meant for the election of the first Prime Minister of independent India. Popularly called as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he was symbol of Indian Unity and great champion of human rights. Patel was a great humanist and strategic statesman. The training institute of Indian Police Service Officers located in Hyderabad was named as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy as a tribute to the great leader for reforming the civil services in India. The Sardar Patel Birthday i.e. 31^st October is being observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas across the country.

Life Experiences

Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Gujarat to Zaverbhai and Ladbai. Vallabhbhai, His father had served in the army of the Queen of Jhansi while his mother was a very spiritual woman. Starting his academic career in a Gujarati medium school Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel later shifted to an English medium school. In 1897, Vallabhbhai passed his high school examination and started preparing for law examination. 1910, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel went to England to study law. He completed his law studies in 1913 and came back to India and started his law practice as a criminal lawyer. Vallabhbhai was offered many lucrative posts by the British Government due to his Excellencies in Law but he rejected all. He was a staunch opponent of the British government and its laws and therefore decided not to work for the British. He later started practicing law at Ahmedabad. After a meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1919, at the Gujarat Club, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel got influenced by Gandhi's words. Later, inspired by Gandhi's work, Patel became a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi as he was deeply influenced by the philosophy of Gandhi ji.

Patel’s Contribution to Indian National Movement

In 1917, Sardar Vallabhbhai was elected as the Secretary of the Gujarat Sabha. The next year, when there was a flood in Kaira, the British insisted on collecting tax from the farmers. Sardar Vallabhbhai led a massive "No Tax campaign" that urged the farmers not to pay taxes. The peaceful movement forced the British authority to return the lands taken away from the farmers. His effort to bring together the farmers of his area brought him the title of 'Sardar' to his name. In 1920, he was elected president of the newly formed Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee—he would serve as its president till 1945. Sardar Patel actively participated in the non-cooperation movement in 1922. Patel also stanchly supported Gandhi's controversial suspension of resistance in wake of the Chauri Chaura incident. He worked extensively in the following years in Gujarat against alcoholism, untouchability and caste discrimination, as well as for the empowerment of women. In the Congress, he was a resolute supporter of Gandhi against his Swarajist critics. Patel was elected Ahmedabad's municipal president in 1922, 1924 and 1927.  In 1928, the farmers of Bardoli faced a similar problem of "tax-hike". After prolonged summons, when the farmers refused to pay the extra tax, the government in retaliation seized their lands. Vallabhbhai Patel led the agitation for more than six months. He was instrumental in striking a deal between the government and farmer's representatives and the lands were returned to the farmers. In 1930 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was imprisoned for participating in the famous Salt Satyagraha called by Mahatma Gandhi. His inspiring speeches during the "Salt Movement" transformed the lives of several people, who later played a major role in making the movement successful. Sardar Patel was freed in 1931 following an agreement signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India. The treaty was popularly known as the Gandhi-Irwin pact. The same year, Patel was elected as the president of Indian National Congress Party for its Karachi session. In the Karachi session, the Indian National Congress Party committed itself to the defence of fundamental rights and human rights and a dream of a evolving secular nation. In 1934, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the all-India election campaign for the Indian National Congress. Though he did not contest a seat for himself, Sardar Patel helped his fellow party mates during the election. 

Satyagraha in Gujarat

Supported by Congress volunteers Narhari Parikh, Mohanlal Pandya and Abbas Tyabji, Vallabhbhai Patel began a village-to-village tour in the Kheda district, documenting grievances and asking villagers for their support for a statewide revolt by refusing the payment of taxes. The revolt began evoking sympathy and admiration across India, including with pro-British Indian politicians. The government agreed to negotiate with Patel and decided to suspend the payment of revenue for the year, even scaling back the rates. Patel supported Gandhi's Non-co-operation movement and toured the state to recruit more than 300,000 members and raise over Rs. 1.5 million funds. In April 1928, Sardar Patel returned to the independence struggle from his municipal duties in Ahmedabad when Bardoli suffered from a serious predicament of a famine and steep tax hike. The revenue hike was steeper than it had been in Kheda even though the famine affected large areas of Gujarat. It was during the Bardoli struggle and after the victory in Bardoli that Patel was increasingly addressed by his colleagues and followers as Sardar, as a leader of masses.

As Gandhi embarked on the Dandi Salt March in 1930, Patel was arrested in the village of Ras and was put on trial without witnesses, with no lawyer or pressman allowed to attend. Patel's arrest and Gandhi's subsequent arrest caused the Salt Satyagraha to greatly intensify in Gujarat—districts across Gujarat launched an anti-tax rebellion until and unless Patel and Gandhi were released. After released from jail, Patel served as interim Congress president, but was re-arrested while leading a procession in Mumbai. After the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Patel was elected Congress president for its 1931 session in Karachi—here the Congress ratified the pact, committed itself to the defence of fundamental rights and human freedoms, and a vision of a secular nation, minimum wage and the abolition of untouchability and serfdom. Patel used his position as Congress president in organising the return of confiscated lands to farmers in Gujarat. 

Quit India Movement

On the outbreak of World War II, Patel participated in Gandhi's call for individual disobedience, and was arrested in 1940 and imprisoned for nine months. He also opposed the proposals of the Cripps' mission in 1942. While Nehru, Rajagopalachari and Maulana Azad initially criticised Gandhi's proposal for an all-out campaign of civil disobedience to force the British to Quit India, Patel was its most fervent supporter. Arguing that the British would retreat from India as they had from Singapore and Burma, Patel stressed that the campaign start without any delay.  In Patel's view, an all-out rebellion would force the British to concede that continuation of colonial rule had no support in India, so that the transfer of power to Indians will be faster. Believing strongly in the need for revolt, Patel stated his intention to resign from the Congress if the revolt was not approved. Gandhi strongly pressured the All India Congress Committee to approve of an all-out campaign of civil disobedience and the AICC approved the campaign on 7 August 1942. Though Patel's health had suffered during his stint in jail, Patel gave emotional speeches to large crowds across India asking people to refuse paying taxes and participate in civil disobedience, mass protests and a shutdown of all civic services. He raised funds and prepared a second-tier of command as a precaution against the arrest of national leaders during crucial phase of Indian freedom struggle.

Integration of princely states into Indian Union

At the time of independence, Indian Territory was divided into three parts. First, the territories under the direct control of the British government second were the territories over which the hereditary rulers had suzerainty. The regions, which had been colonized by France and Portugal, formed the last. India, without the integration of these different territories under one roof, could not be considered as a unified and total country. It was a stupendous task for the ruling party, to persuade the rulers of these states to join. According to British government, the provincial rulers had the liberty to choose how they wanted to be ruled. They were given two choices. They could join either of India or Pakistan or stay independently. The stance of the British government had made the task much difficult for India. At this point many leaders of the congress approached the rulers but they failed to convince. At last, they all made a request to Vallabhbhai Patel to think some other options to bring the princely rulers under Indian control. Sardar Patel eventually dealt with the tough-situation and came out successfully. He had made secured their accession into Indian union. Therefore, the State of present India was a result of the efforts made by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A possible war between India and Pakistan was averted in 1950 due to Patel’s intervention.  Hyderabad was one of the biggest Princely ruled state in India, but the Muslim Nizam ruling Hyderabad did not agreed on Merging the state with the Union of India. Later Sardar Patel ordered the Indian Army to take over the State and to occupy it for merging it with India. The Indian Army successfully occupied the State in the Operation polo under the leadership of General Chowdhary on 17 September 1948 and the Hyderabad Nizam agreed to merge Hyderabad into Indian Union. Lakshadweep island was undoubtedly cut off from the Main stream India and they got the news of Independence of India. Days later the 15th August but as the majority of population was of Muslims there was a chance that Pakistan can claim the island on the ground of Population but the problem was that it was far away from Pakistan. In order to save the Island from Pakistan, Sardar Patel sent Indian Navy there to Hoist the Indian Flag on the Island, later it's claimed that Pakistan Navy attempted to capture the Island but they returned after seeing the Indian Flag on the Island. Sardar Patel always played an important role in merging the states in India, and he was too aggressive regarding this but in case of Kashmir he waited till the Kashmir Rulers agrees on the merging of state with the Union of India. Patel was instrumental for execution accession instrument into the Indian Union by the Raja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir. Later he played an important Role and helped the former Defence Minister Baldev Singh in arranging the troops and managing them in Kashmir.

Influence of Gandhi on Patel

While senior leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari and Maulana Azad criticized Mahatma Gandhi's concept that the civil disobedience movement would compel the British to leave the nation, Patel extended his support to Gandhi. Despite the unwillingness of the Congress High Command, Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel strongly forced the All India Congress Committee to ratify the civil disobedience movement and launch it without delaying further. Acting under the pressure, the All India Congress Committee sanctioned the drive on 7 August 1942. One important episode that could change the political lines of the country had shaped up just a year of attaining independence. During the election for the Congress presidency in 1946, thirteen of the sixteen states proposed Sardar Patel's name for the post. It was a very crucial election, as the elected president of the congress party would be later considered as the first Prime Minister of independent India. Just a few days, before the all important election, Mahatma Gandhi requested Sardar Patel to leave the candidacy and support Jawaharlal Nehru. Sardar Patel, without pondering twice, stepped down from contest. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's health declined in 1950. After suffering a massive heart attack, on 15 December 1950, the great soul left the world after uniting India.

Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is a planned 182 metres (597 ft) monument of Vallabhbhai Patel that will be created directly facing the Narmada Dam, 3.2 km away on the river island called Sadhu Bet near Vadodara in Gujarat. It would be the world's tallest statue. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust (SVPRET), a special purpose vehicle was established by the Gujarat government and the outreach programme across India was carried out starting from December 2013. The cost of project is estimated at 2989 crore (US$480 million) for the design, construction and maintenance. The construction process will start on the birthday of Patel i.e. on 31 October.  The project was first announced on October 7, 2010. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust (SVPRET), a special purpose vehicle was established by the Gujarat government for construction of the statue. The Statue of Unity Movement will also organize a Suraaj (good governance in Hindi) petition wherein people can write about their ideas for the good governance. The Suraaj Petition is expected to be signed by an estimated 20 million people, which will make it the world's largest petition signed. A marathon entitled Run for Unity was held on December 15, 2013 in several places throughout India. The marathon had a large turnout and sign-ups before the event reported thousands of registrations. Rs 200 crores has been allocated for constructing the Statue of Unity in the Union Budget 2014-15.

National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)

The Government of India has decided to observe the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallahbhai Patel as the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Divas’ (National Unity Day) on 31^st October every year. This occasion will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country. All the Government Offices, Public Sector Undertakings and other Public Institutions will arrange a Pledge taking ceremony to observe Rashtriya Ekta Divas. The Ministry of Human Resource Development has issued suitable instructions that the students of schools and colleges may be administered the Rashtriya Ekta Divas Pledge to motivate them to strive to maintain the unity and integrity of the country. All Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India and all the State Government/ Administrators of all the Union Territories are organising appropriate programmes on the occasion in the befitting manner, including the ‘Pledge- taking ceremony’ ‘Run for Unity’ involving people from all sections of society, March past in the evening by the Police, the Central Armed Police Forces and other organizations like the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Scouts and Guides, Home Guards etc.

*The Sardar Patel Birthday i.e. 31^st October is being observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas across the country.