PM Modi: Patel sought united Kashmir Nehru blocked vision
Since 2014, October 31 has been celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, honouring Sardar Patel’s legacy of unity and strength.
PM Modi: Sardar Patel Wanted to Unite Entire Kashmir with India, But Nehru Stopped It
On the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on Friday, October 31, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid glowing tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, crediting him with uniting India’s diverse princely states after Independence. Speaking at the grand Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar, Mr. Modi said that Patel’s dream of integrating the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir with India was left unfulfilled due to the decisions made by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
But Nehru ji stopped his wish from being fulfilled,” Mr. Modi said in his address.
The Prime Minister recalled Patel’s unmatched contribution in bringing together more than 550 princely states, transforming the idea of “One India” into a reality at a time when the country was deeply fragmented. “After Independence, the impossible task of uniting hundreds of princely states was made possible by Sardar Patel,” he said. “The idea of ‘One India, Excellent India’ was always paramount for him. He believed in building a nation that stood together, strong and indivisible.”
In his heartfelt tribute, Mr. Modi described Patel as a leader of unmatched vision and courage, who believed that India’s strength lay in its unity. progress and integrity.
The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade this year carried a special message of empowerment and inclusivity, as all contingents were commanded by women officers — a symbolic gesture underscoring women’s leadership in nation-building. Paramilitary and police contingents from across the country, including the BSF, CISF, ITBP, CRPF, and SSB, as well as forces from Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, proudly marched at the event.
The atmosphere at Ekta Nagar was charged with patriotism as thousands of citizens, schoolchildren, and members of the armed forces joined in the celebration. The towering Statue of Unity, dedicated to Sardar Patel, stood as a symbol of the values he embodied — unity, determination, and national pride.
Concluding his speech, Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to uphold the ideals that Sardar Patel stood for. “Let us take inspiration from Sardar Patel’s vision and ensure that India remains united, strong, and ever-progressive,” he said. “That will be the true tribute to the Iron Man of India.”