Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of India’s greatest leaders, is often remembered for his unwavering nationalism and silent yet formidable presence. Known as the Iron Man of India, Patel’s decisive actions united 562 princely states, giving India its territorial integrity after independence. He warned the nation about threats from Kashmir and China, but tragically, his contributions were overshadowed by years of silence and posthumous disrespect that, astonishingly, began even in death, by none other than Nehru.
The Dark Side of Congress’s Legacy
When Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel passed away on 15 December 1950, his death exposed a disturbing side of Indian politics one that Congress, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru, would rather keep buried. Within an hour of Patel’s passing, Nehru, perhaps driven by political rivalry or jealousy, issued a chilling government order with two critical directives:
- Immediately withdrew the official car assigned to Sardar Patel.
- Any Home Ministry officials attending his funeral in Bombay would have to cover their own travel expenses.
This heartless order was kept hidden from the public by India’s Home Secretary, V.P. Menon, who was deeply disgusted by Nehru’s petty actions. Menon quietly made arrangements for senior officers to attend Patel’s funeral at their own cost. There were no state funeral arrangements, no national mourning—just political spite.
Shunning the ‘Iron Man’ at His Final Moment
But the humiliation didn’t end there. Nehru’s Cabinet sent an official request to President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, asking him not to attend Patel’s funeral. In a shocking move, the Cabinet actively tried to prevent India’s first President from honoring the Iron Man of India. However, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, a man of his own convictions, rejected this advice and chose to attend the funeral. When Nehru learned of this, he acted swiftly sending C. Rajagopalachari with an “official letter of condolence,” bypassing the President entirely.
KM Munshi wrote in his Pilgrimage to Freedom, “When Sardar died in Bombay, Jawaharlal issued a direction to the ministers and the secretaries not to go to Bombay to attend the funeral. Among the ministers, I was in Matheran (near Bombay) at the time. Sri N. V. Gadgil, Sri Satyanarayan Sinha, and Sri V. P. Menon disregarded the direction and attended the funeral. Jawaharlal also requested Dr. Rajendra Prasad not to go to Bombay; it was a strange request to which Rajendra Prasad did not accede. Among the important personages who attended the funeral were Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Rajaji, and Pantji. I was of course there.”
A Mockery of Patel’s Legacy
Even when Congress members and the public rallied for a memorial to honor Patel, Nehru initially opposed the idea. Later, in an act of mockery, Nehru sarcastically suggested that since Patel was a “farmer’s leader,” the government should consider building wells in rural areas in his memory. The memorial proposal never materialized.
Adding insult to injury, Purushottam Das Tandon, a senior Congress leader who had once supported Patel over Nehru for leadership, was later expelled from the party. This wasn’t just political maneuvering—it was personal vengeance.
Today, when Congress leaders invoke Sardar Patel’s name, it’s important to remember the truth of history. These same leaders were the ones who erased his legacy, disrespected him in life and death, and undermined his ideals—all because he was a leader they could never control.
The True Tribute: The Statue of Unity
It took nearly 70 years, and a government with the courage to stand tall, to finally give Sardar Patel the tribute he deserved—the Statue of Unity. This is not just a statue; it is a reminder that Sardar Patel’s contributions to the nation will never be forgotten, even if some tried to bury them.
Let us never forget: Sardar Patel—not as a forgotten plaque on a wall, but as the tallest statue on Earth, standing as a symbol of unity, strength, and integrity.
(This article is based on an X Thread By Manisha Singh)
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