Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Vivekanand Jha, Ranchi. Ramchandra Guha’s book The Architects of Modern India, prima facie appears flawed and incomplete, for the author, in his wisdom, or the utter lack of it, had given a complete miss to portraying the towering giant who, in all his political wisdom brought about by his skills in statecraft, contributing to making an India, which we behold in all its resplendence and luminescence today. Unfortunately, whereas far lesser mortals, ironically though, were portrayed as the architects of Modern India, the immortal Sardar Patel, on account of the prejudiced mind of the author, was inexplicably excluded from its overall purview. But then who in his sanity, would imagine that the man who was instrumental behind uniting the splintered territories, would be awarded Bharat Ratna, almost on account of political compulsion, than by sheer intention to honour the leader’s contribution. Who could imagine that India’s first Prime Minister would show a humongous appetite for self-deification by conferring upon himself the highest Civilian award in 1955, yet Sardar Patel was never thought eligible for the same, speaks a volume about the prejudiced mind which sought to omit the last vestiges of such leaders as Netajee and Sardar Patel? Worse still, unknown to many, known to few, including the researchers like me, that how Punditjee had sought to defame Sardar, by apportioning the blame on the latter for Kashmir fiasco in Parliament, especially when he was no more to defend his own position. ( the loyalists of Nehru had chorused the same) Better still, India that we behold, in all its grandeur today, is due to one and only, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Significantly, decades passed by, India today is sitting on volcano waiting to implode anytime, apart from the chances of its exploding from all sides: India, agree or not, is encircled by China from all sides, whereas the various constituents within the republic are paradoxically antagonistic to each other. Further, the burgeoning population of Muslims within the republic, has caused the trigger for a new social order where Muslims are increasing the stridency of their voice to seek the disproportionate pound of flesh; Hindus, as ever, divided along the caste lines, oblivious of the greater identity of Hinduism, are amenable to further fragmentation. No wonder the effort to sequester them from their mother religion, Hinduism, is an ongoing Machiavellian efforts which, notwithstanding the complacent refutation, is, in fact, the grim reality staring at the nation’s face. Also, the Goebbelsian propaganda to convert India into another Islamic nation, which is going on strategically through love jihad and the slogan of ‘Jai Bhim’, is too strategic too be given a short shrift. Small wonder then the gargantuan rise of Assaduddin Owaisi as the Muslim equivalent of Narendra Modi, sooner than later, will end up rupturing the nation in its own cataclysmic vehemence. Unequivocally, Owaisi, the incumbent successor of Kasim Razavi, the head of Razakars, has a distinct agenda cut out: to further vivisect the nation, and there are evidence to suggest that India, if the public consciousness–both Hindus and Muslims join hands–do not come together to defend Mother Bharti as her sons.
Evidently, Sardar Patel, who was considered, along with Nehru and Jinnah, as the divider-in-chief of United India–India Wins Freedom, of Maulana Abu Kalam, invariably blames Nehru and Patel –for paving the way for the disintegration of India, had the collective interest of Hindus in his heart. No wonder the pragmatic piece of advice of ‘exchange of population’ which failed to gain traction with Nehru, ought to have been the perennial remedy, in the wake of United India fragmented along religious lines. Regrettably, his proposal trashed, Hindus were left nationless–the most unfortunate community on earth which has no nation for them; even Jews, numerically, an infinitesimal part of Hindus, have Israel, what do we Hindus have? A no man’s land, which, as time passes, is becoming the land of Rohingyas. Thus, a new awakening should dawn on us: Civil society should bring about a national awakening of a new nationalism where the nation is supreme and religion is an exclusive private affair.
Today is the day of commemoration of the birth anniversary of great Sardar Patel, whose heart craved for eternally securing the strategic interest of Hindus, the aboriginals of this Punyabhoomie. Unfortunately, the situation today, as is explicit from the unfolding of scenario today, is symptomatic of the grim reality beckoning us today: Nation on the cusp of a cataclysm. With the polity deteriorating further, fragility of the republic becoming starkly ostensible as never before, we all have to be guard on our national security, for Hindus, India is their only motherland. Mind you, if driven away, while Rohingyas may find refuge here, Hindus will find refuge nowhere. Hence, Population Control Bill should be on the priority list of the government’s agenda. If it is deferred, the strategic interest of the nation will be jeopardised for ever. Apparently, the divide between citizens, needed to be bridged, which needs an awakening of national consciousness. Moreover, India that Sardar Patel bequeathed us, if we fail to preserve its sanctity, will be tantamount to defiling his spirit. Notwithstanding the huge Statue of Unity built in his remembrance, the genuine tribute to the great leader would be to eternally preserve his great legacy of India that he had handed over to us. We the nation shall continue to persevere for keeping this great India united, viable and vibrant. This will be the lone tribute to the indefeatagable spirit of India’s first deputy and Home Minister.
Vivekanand Jha, author, academician and Public intellectual. He is also the Convener of Education pe Charcha.
