Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) celebration near the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, emphasized Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s historic role in uniting more than 550 princely states after Independence. He reiterated that Patel had envisioned the complete integration of Kashmir into India — a dream he claimed was blocked by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Modi said that while Patel successfully unified the nation, including states once reluctant to join the Indian Union, Kashmir’s partial integration created decades of challenges. “Kashmir was divided, given a separate Constitution and a separate flag – and the nation suffered for decades because of Congress’ mistake,” he asserted.
He praised Patel’s belief in making history through action rather than documenting it, saying, “Sardar Patel believed that one should not waste time writing history but we should work hard to create history.”
Highlighting the government’s focus on strengthening internal security, PM Modi pledged a strong, decisive push against infiltrators. “Today, the unity and internal security of our nation face serious threat from infiltrators. On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, we should pledge to remove each and every infiltrator from the country,” he stated, adding that decades of demographic disruption must be confronted.
Modi also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eliminating Naxalism and Maoism, declaring that the fight will continue until the menace is fully eradicated. He criticized the Congress party, saying it carried a mindset inherited from colonial rule, while asserting his government’s mission to erase remnants of colonial influence.
The ceremony included a National Unity Day parade with contingents led by women officers from police and paramilitary forces including BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, and various state police units. NCC cadets also joined the march.
A demonstration by elite forces, gallantry medal awardees, and specially trained Indian dog breeds, including the Mudhol hound, was followed by an aerial show by the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team. The program also featured cultural tableaux portraying India’s unity in diversity and a motorcycle daredevil show by Assam Police.
