Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that Nehru wanted to build Babri Masjid with government money, which was stopped by Sardar Patel. He described Patel as a liberal and religious ...read more
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. file photo
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to build Babri Masjid with public money, but Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did not allow this plan to succeed.
He also claimed that Nehru had suggested using the money collected by the common people to build wells and roads to build a memorial for Patel after his death.
This was absurd because construction of wells and roads is the responsibility of the government. During the 'Unity March' organized to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel in Sadhli village near Vadodara, Rajnath Singh praised Patel as a true liberal and secular man who never believed in appeasement.
Patel foiled Nehru's plan
Defense Minister said- "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to build Babri Masjid in Ayodhya with public money. If anyone opposed this proposal, it was Sardar Patel.'' When Nehru raised the issue of restoring the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, Patel made it clear that the temple was a separate matter as Rs 30 lakh had been donated by the common people for its beautification.
Rajnath said- 'A trust was set up and not a single penny of government money was spent on the work of Somnath temple. Similarly, the government did not give a single rupee for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. The entire expense was borne by the people of the country. This is called real secularism.
Rajnath said that Sardar Patel could have become the Prime Minister, but he never aspired to any post. He worked with Nehru because he had promised Mahatma Gandhi. Rajnath Singh also rejected that Patel was too old to become Prime Minister.
He said 'This is completely wrong. Morarji Desai was more than 80 years old. If he can become the Prime Minister of India, then why couldn't Sardar Patel, who was under 80, become the Prime Minister?'' He said some political forces want to erase Patel's legacy, but as long as the BJP is in power, they will not succeed.
Public's contribution in the construction of Ram temple
It was PM Narendra Modi who played a key role in reestablishing Patel as a shining star in history. He said- 'Nehru ji honored himself with Bharat Ratna, but why was Sardar Patel not given Bharat Ratna at that time?'
He said that if Patel's demands on Kashmir issue had been heard on time, India would not have had to face the Kashmir problem. He said that India is rapidly moving towards becoming the world's largest economic and strategic power.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that Operation Sindoor is a proof that India gives a befitting reply to those who do not understand the language of peace and goodwill.
He compared the action against terrorism to the strong will and leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He said that Patel always believed in solving problems through dialogue.
However, when all avenues were closed he did not hesitate to adopt a harsh approach. When the need arose for the merger of Hyderabad, Patel adopted that stand. If he had not adopted a tough stance, perhaps Hyderabad would not have been a part of India. He said that the Modi government has also maintained this value through Operation Sindoor.
(With inputs from news agency PTI)
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