Shah attacks Congress for neglecting Patel’s legacy

Ahead of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 150th birth anniversary on October 31, 2025, Home Minister accused the Congress of deliberately side-lining Sardar Patel post-Independence. He further accused the party of delaying bestowing of Bharat Ratna on him by 41 years due to lack of respect, and also failing to build a memorial for him.

Addressing the media in Patna on Thursday, Shah said on the lines of the Republic Day celebrations, a live parade featuring contingents from paramilitary forces, states' police and tableaux of various stateswill mark Sardar Patel's birth anniversary, starting this year, in Gujarat's Kevadia.

October 31, 2025 is also being commemorated as Ekta Diwas. “The Home Ministry has decided that from this year onwards, a grand live parade will be held every year on October 31. During the live parade, CAPFs and state police forces will showcase their skills, discipline and valour. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the parade, which will be conducted in the same way as it is done during Republic Day,” Shah said.

Till last year, only a static parade was conducted in Kevadia, owing to the lack of space.

Shah credited Modi’s tenure as Gujarat CM for commissioning the world-famous Statue of Unity, which is also located in Kevadia in Gujarat, and Sardar Patel memorial.

“Unfortunately, after Sardar Patel’s death after Independence, the Congress spared no effort to forget him. There was a 41-year delay in awarding the Bharat Ratna to a great personality like Sardar Patel, solely due to the Congress party’s distinct lack of respect for him. For a great personality like Sardar Patel, neither a samadhi nor a memorial was built in the entire country. When Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he commissioned the Statue of Unity and built the Sardar Patel Memorial, a magnificent monument that has become famous worldwide,” he said in the press conference.

The Home Minister also announced a fortnight-long cultural programme in Ekta Nagar from November 1 to 15.

“From November 1 to 15, Kevadia will host Bharat Parv, showcasing cultural performances and a diverse food festival representing various states. The celebration will conclude on November 15 with special events, marking Birsa Munda Jayanti, honouring the rich heritage and indomitable spirit of India’s tribal communities,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 25 e-buses at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia in Gujarat on Thursday evening.

He is also supposed to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects worth over Rs 1,140 crore in Gujarat.

The projects aim to promote eco-tourism, green mobility, modern infrastructure and tribal development in the Ekta Nagar region.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister had reached Gujarat on a two-day visit. On October 31, Modi will offer a floral tribute to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity, marking his 150th birth anniversary as part of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations.

Following the events, he will interact with the officer trainees of the 100th Common Foundation Course at the culmination of Aarambh 7.0.