Speaking at a rally in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who turned 69 on Tuesday said Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was an inspiration for BJP-led govt’s decision on Article 370 to resolve a decades-old issue and walk on a new path.
The government on August 5 revoked Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir proposing the state to be bifurcated into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
“Today India is trying to complete all the tasks that have remained incomplete since Independence. For 70 years, the people of Jammu & Kashmir were discriminated against, as a result of which the entire country suffered in the form of violence, separatism and incomplete aspirations,” PM Modi was quoted by Indian Express as saying at the rally.
“A decision was taken after decades to walk on a new path to solve this issue. I have complete faith that with the active co-operation of the lakhs of friends from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Kargil, we will be able to successfully chart a new course of development and confidence (vikas aur vishwas),” he added.
PM Narendra Modi also said the Hyderabad Liberation Day, that is observed on September 17 every year, is a result of Sardar Patel’s vision. It marks the day in 1948 when the erstwhile Hyderabad State become a part of Indian Union.
PM Modi started the day with a visit to The Statue of Unity–that he inaugurated on Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary on October 31 last year–and the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the river Narmada in Gujarat.
“Have a look at the majestic ‘Statue of Unity’, India’s tribute to the great Sardar Patel,” PM Modi tweeted and posted a video.
Reached Kevadia a short while ago.
Have a look at the majestic ‘Statue of Unity’, India’s tribute to the great Sardar Patel. pic.twitter.com/B8ciNFr4p7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2019
PM Narendra Modi was in Kevadiya to take part in the Namami Narmada festival organised by Gujarat government to celebrate the filling up of Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada river to its full reservoir level.