PM Modi calls for national resolve to defeat divisive forces for a Viksit Bharat

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

KEVADIA, OCTOBER 31, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called upon the nation to remain vigilant against every conspiracy that seeks to weaken India’s unity, asserting that national integration is the foundation of a Viksit Bharat. Addressing the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas programme in Kevadia, Gujarat, the Prime Minister marked the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, describing the day as a “historic and divine occasion” that reaffirms India’s collective strength and spirit of unity.

Speaking at the feet of the Statue of Unity, Shri Modi said the nationwide Run for Unity and the participation of crores of citizens reflect the living spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.” He also released a commemorative coin and a postal stamp in honour of Sardar Patel, extending greetings to all citizens on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.

Emphasizing Sardar Patel’s vision of nation-building through action rather than words, the Prime Minister recalled the Iron Man’s unparalleled achievement of integrating over 550 princely states post-Independence. He said Patel’s ideals have turned his birth anniversary into a grand festival of national unity, on par with Independence Day and Republic Day.

“Every action which weakens the unity of the nation must be avoided by every citizen,” Modi asserted, urging people to place national integrity above all else. He expressed regret that after Sardar Patel’s demise, successive governments failed to uphold his spirit of sovereignty, citing the mishandling of Kashmir, instability in the Northeast, and the rise of Naxal-Maoist extremism as consequences of weak policies.

Drawing attention to Sardar Patel’s wish for the full integration of Kashmir, Shri Modi said that this vision was obstructed by the then leadership, resulting in decades of turmoil and terrorism. He remarked that after 2014, India rediscovered its resolve inspired by Patel, as seen in the abrogation of Article 370 and the firm response to cross-border terrorism. “This is the India of the Iron Man, Sardar Patel — an India that will never compromise on its security and honour,” he declared.

The Prime Minister noted that the government’s decisive campaign against Naxal-Maoist terrorism has reduced the number of affected districts from 125 to just 11. “We will not stop until India is completely free from the Naxal-Maoist threat,” he said.

Modi also raised concerns over the threat posed by illegal infiltration, stating that it undermines national security and social balance. He warned that “vote-bank politics” had long prevented strong action and reiterated his government’s commitment to identifying and removing infiltrators, stressing that national security must come before political gain.

Highlighting that true unity in a democracy also means respecting diversity of thought, the Prime Minister lamented the “political untouchability” of earlier eras, when leaders like Sardar Patel, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia were marginalized. He said his government had sought to correct historical injustices by building the Statue of Unity, developing the Panchteerth in memory of Ambedkar, establishing the Prime Ministers’ Museum, and honouring leaders across political lines with national awards.

Modi criticised what he called the colonial mindset of past governments, which continued British-era symbols and even divided society by altering the national song Vande Mataram. He said that the present government has worked to restore India’s pride by renaming Rajpath as Kartavya Path, honouring freedom fighters like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and establishing national memorials for soldiers and police personnel who sacrificed their lives for the country.

“Unity is the very foundation of a nation’s existence,” the Prime Minister said, adding that to achieve the dream of a developed India, every divisive conspiracy must be defeated. He outlined four pillars of India’s unity — cultural, linguistic, developmental, and emotional connectivity — stressing that each contributes to the nation’s strength.

He lauded India’s cultural heritage, from the twelve Jyotirlingas and sacred pilgrimages to the global reach of Yoga, describing them as “the life force that keeps India alive as a conscious and living nation.” He called India’s linguistic diversity a source of pride and unity, and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to promote learning in mother tongues.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s efforts toward inclusive development — lifting 25 crore people out of poverty, ensuring housing, healthcare, and clean drinking water for millions, and building modern connectivity through highways, railways, airports, and digital infrastructure that bridge geographical and cultural divides.

Quoting Sardar Patel, Modi said the greatest joy lies in serving the nation. He urged every citizen to dedicate themselves to the service of Maa Bharati, stating, “When 140 crore Indians stand united, even mountains make way.”

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the truest tribute to Sardar Patel is to preserve and strengthen India’s unity. “Together, we will realize the dream of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and build a developed, self-reliant India,” he said, offering his homage at the feet of the Iron Man of India.