Gujarat: On National Unity Day, which also coincided with Diwali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a cautionary message about forces he described as “urban Naxals” attempting to divide India for political gains. Addressing a crowd near the towering statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Kewadiya, Gujarat, Modi underscored the importance of unity in a rapidly changing world, emphasizing that while nations drift apart, they are increasingly looking to India’s example of problem-solving and stability.
The Prime Minister highlighted that “certain forces,” both within and outside the nation, aim to destabilize India, warning that they are spreading misinformation and attempting to divide the nation along caste lines. These individuals, he claimed, are undermining India’s growth to suit a political narrative centered on a “weaker India.” Without naming specific leaders or parties, his remarks alluded to the INDIA Opposition bloc, which has rallied around a “save Constitution” campaign and is pushing for a caste-based Census.
In paying homage to Sardar Patel, Modi credited his administration’s policies with fostering national unity, noting milestones like the implementation of GST as a ‘one nation, one tax’ system, and the revocation of Article 370, which ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. “The previous governments’ divisive policies weakened our national fabric,” he said, pointing to the current administration’s ten-year focus on inclusive development, which he described as a significant step toward ending regional and social disparities.
Prime Minister Modi also championed the idea of ‘one nation, one election,’ arguing that a unified election process would streamline governance, optimize resources, and strengthen India’s democracy. This vision aligns with previous initiatives such as the ‘one nation, one health insurance’ through Ayushman Bharat and ‘one nation, one identity’ with Aadhaar. Modi asserted that the recent removal of Article 370 fulfills India’s ‘one nation, one Constitution’ vision, marking a historic tribute to Patel and the founding leaders of the Indian Constitution.
The Prime Minister concluded by stating that National Unity Day launches a two-year celebration of Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, inviting all citizens to recognize the unity in diversity that Patel and Ambedkar envisioned.
