Farmers Movement Archive

Patel’s ‘rashtra bhakti’ made India a formidable nation: Yogi

Lucknow: Leaders cutting across party lines vied for the legacy of India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 146th birth anniversary on Sunday. CM Yogi Adityanath said the country was once again taking the pledge of national unity which was crafted by Patel despite “conspiracies” of few elements who did not want India to stay united after Independence. “But Patel demonstrated his ‘rashtra bhakti’ and brought together various princely states to build a formidable nation,” Yogi said after flagging off a rally of 75 motorcycles to Kakori memorial in Lucknow to mark Patel’s birth anniversary celebrations as well as 75th years of India’s independence. Apna Dal (S) chief and Union minister Anupriya Patel hailed Vallabhbhai Patel as “Yug Purush” who strived for uniform human rights. Anupriya had reached Badaun to attend a function hosted by Bhartiya Kurmi Mahasabha. She had unveiled a statue of Patel on Saturday. Apna Dal (S) has been projecting Patel as its prominent ideologue to consolidate Kurmi sub-caste amongst the OBC which has a sizable presence in UP. Citing the example of Bardoli Satyagraha, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recalled Patel as a leader who “raised the voice of farmers’ rights and self-respect”. “His struggle inspires us to stand like a rock in the fight for justice against the oppression of farmers and for their rights,” she tweeted. Analysts interpreted Priyanka’s statement as referring to the farmers’ stir against the new farm laws and the recent killings of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri district. SP chief Akilesh Yadav unveiled a statue of Patel in Hardoi, which has a significant population of Kurmis. BSP chief Mayawati too paid tributes to Patel saying there was a “dire need” to strengthen the harmony and unity in the country by following the path shown by him.

The Times of India

2021-11-01

Lucknow