Rajnath Singh Claims Nehru Wanted to Build Babri Masjid With Public Funds While Patel Opposed It

He also dismissed arguments that Vallabhbhai Patel was too old to become the Prime Minister.

Vadodara:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Tuesday that India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru intended to construct the "Babri masjid" with public funds, but Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel prevented this from happening.

He further alleged that Nehru had proposed using funds collected by common people for Patel's memorial after his death to instead build wells and roads.

Speaking at a gathering in Sadhli village near Vadodara during a 'Unity March' commemorating Sardar Patel's 150th birth anniversary, Singh praised Patel as a genuinely liberal and secular individual who never believed in appeasement politics.

"Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to construct the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya using public funds. It was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, born to a Gujarati mother, who opposed this proposal and prevented the Babri Masjid from being built with taxpayer money," Singh remarked.

When Nehru raised concerns about restoring the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, Patel clarified that this was different because the 30 lakh rupees needed for renovation had been donated by ordinary citizens, he added.

"A trust had been established, and not a single penny from government coffers was spent on the Somnath temple project. Similarly, the government did not contribute any funds toward building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The entire cost was borne by the people of India. This exemplifies true secularism," the BJP veteran stated.

Singh mentioned that Sardar Patel could have become Prime Minister but never pursued positions throughout his career. Despite ideological differences with Nehru, he worked alongside him because of a promise made to Mahatma Gandhi, the Defence Minister added.

He claimed Nehru became Congress president in 1946 only because Patel withdrew his nomination following Gandhi's advice.

"In 1946, when the Congress President was to be elected, most Congress committee members proposed Vallabhbhai Patel's name. When Gandhiji requested Patel to allow Nehru to become president and withdraw his nomination, he immediately stepped aside," said Singh.

Without naming specific individuals, Singh claimed certain political forces attempted to erase Patel's legacy. "It was PM Narendra Modi whose crucial role re-established Patel as a shining star in our historical records."

Singh alleged that "some people" tried to obscure Patel's legacy, but they would not succeed as long as the BJP remained in power.

"After Patel's death, ordinary citizens collected funds to build his memorial, but when Nehruji learned of this, he suggested that since Patel was a farmer leader, the money should be used for constructing wells and roads in villages."

"What absurdity! Building infrastructure is the government's responsibility. The suggestion to divert memorial funds for such purposes was completely inappropriate," Singh remarked.

This indicated that the government at that time wanted to suppress Patel's great legacy at all costs, he added.

"Nehruji awarded himself the Bharat Ratna, yet why wasn't Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel honored with this distinction then? PM Narendra Modi decided to properly honor Sardar Patel by constructing the Statue of Unity. This represents truly commendable work by our Prime Minister," Singh stated.

Singh also dismissed arguments claiming Patel was too old to become Prime Minister.

"This assertion is entirely incorrect. Morarji Desai was over 80 years old when he became Prime Minister of India. If he could assume the role at that age, why couldn't Sardar Patel, who was younger than 80?" questioned Singh.

Regarding Kashmir, Singh said if Patel's demands during Kashmir's merger had been heeded, India wouldn't have faced the Kashmir problem for so long.

He emphasized that Patel always preferred resolving issues through dialogue.

"However, when diplomatic avenues were exhausted, he didn't hesitate to adopt a firm stance. When Hyderabad's merger became necessary, Patel took decisive action. Had he not displayed such resolve, perhaps Hyderabad would not be part of India today," said Singh, referring to Patel's tenure as India's first Home Minister.

He noted that PM Modi's government has upheld this principle through Operation Sindoor.

India demonstrated to the world through Operation Sindoor its capability to respond appropriately to those who fail to understand peaceful language. Operation Sindoor is being discussed not only within India but globally.

"We have conveyed clearly that India is peace-loving and does not provoke others. However, if provoked, India will respond decisively. Under PM Modi's leadership, Sardar Patel's vision of 'One India, Best India' has been further strengthened," the Defence Minister stated.

He emphasized that removing Article 370 was a significant accomplishment, and it was PM Modi who integrated Kashmir with India by abrogating the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

"By transforming what the world once considered our weakness into strength, Sardar Patel showed India the way forward. Following that path, India now engages with the world on its own terms, not those dictated by other nations," he said.

India is rapidly progressing toward becoming the world's leading economic and strategic power, he added.

The 'padyatra' was organized by the Gujarat government from Karamsad town, Sardar Patel's birthplace in Anand district, to the Statue of Unity in Narmada district to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary.

The Unity March began on November 26 and is scheduled to conclude at the Statue of Unity on December 6.