On October 31, India celebrated National Unity Day, marking the birth anniversary of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In this context, let us reflect on his contributions to the creation of modern India, the Constitution, administration, and governance, as well as the ideological foundations of the Indian state. 

Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, famously known as Sardar Patel was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home minister of India. A barrister and a statesman, Patel was a leader of the Indian National Congress and played a significant role in India’s struggle for freedom against the British.

Born on October 31, 1875 and brought up in Gujarat, Patel, in the capacity of a lawyer, had freed several peasants in non-violent civil disobedience movement from Kheda, Bardoli and Borsad and later came to be known as one of the most influential leaders in Gujarat. He also, later promoted Quit India Movement and remains an inspirational figure till today.

As the first Home Minister of independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in unifying and shaping the nation. At the time of independence, the British presented the challenge of declaring the Indian princely states as independent under the Indian Independence Act of 1947. This legislation established the dominions of India and Pakistan, which ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan.

“The problem of the States is so difficult that you alone can solve it,” said the Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel when faced with the problem of integration of princely states in India.

The issue of the princely states was complex and challenging to resolve. Often perceived to be dissolute and ineffective, the princes had largely been pampered by the British on one hand, and taken advantage of on the other for their own political gains. Unsurprisingly, when the British announced their departure, many princes believed it was the perfect moment to declare their independence. Additionally, there were others who found themselves in a struggle between India and Pakistan.

However, through his diplomatic efforts, Patel secured the accession of the princely states, aligning these regions with the nation’s constitutional framework.

“Through the spring of 1947, Patel threw a series of lunch parties, where he urged his princely guests to help the Congress in framing a new constitution of India,” writes historian Ramachandra Guha in his work, “India after Gandhi.”

Patel adopted various approaches based on the situation; he offered friendly advice in some cases, persuaded rulers to see reason in others, and even used force in the case of Hyderabad. He was valued for his political astuteness and pragmatic skills, which were essential in bringing together the more than 500 royal territories into the fold of the Indian union.

Along with the monumental task of unifying India, the Iron Man of India, Patel also played a crucial role in reinforcing the steel frame of India — the All India Services. He was instrumental in the establishment of the modern all-India services system. For this he is remembered as the “patron saint of India’s civil servants”.

“It is to the credit of Sardar Patel that he stood up strongly for the continuity of our governance, whether it was our bureaucratic or military institutions and their practices”,  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.

As the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, and Tribal and Excluded Areas of the Constituent Assembly, Patel played a key role in shaping important sections of the Constitution concerning fundamental and minority rights. He also emphasized that rights and duties are two sides of the same coin.

It is worth realising that the society we inherit is deeply indebted to our forefathers. They worked tirelessly to establish the framework that enables individuals to grow, reach their potential, and contribute to the nation’s overall progress. In this context, here are some quotes from Sardar Patel that reflect his ideological foundation for our nation.

Two ways of building character – cultivating strength to challenge oppression, and tolerate the resultant hardships that give rise to courage and awareness.

Young men and women are to build-up a strong character. A nation’s greatness was reflected in the character of her people. If it was sullied by selfishness, such a people could not prosper or achieve great things. Selfishness had its place in life as everyone had to look to his own needs and that of his family, but it could not be made the be – all and end – all of life.

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