No one has copy right over Sardar Patel, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that nobody has the copy right on the ideals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, adding that the iron man had an uncompromising vision of integrating the country beyond differences.

Prime Minister Modi, who was speaking at the inauguration of the digital exhibition of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, said that the latter was one of the founding fathers of independent India.

"When we talk of unity there is no better example that I am from the BJP and Sardar Patel was from the Congress but I still follow his ideology and beliefs which is from no party. I am surprised that people have been asking me that how can I celebrate Sardar Patel's Jayanti. I will say no one has copyright over Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his teachings," he said.

"What kind of power Sardar Patel held that rulers agreed for integration during independence on his call," he added.

The Prime Minister further said that Patel had such a strong existence that the nation is not able to forget him despite all these years.

"Sardar sahib and his deeds are so strong that after 70 years of efforts no one has been able to forget him," he said.

Prime Minister Modi also took the event to elucidate the fact that it was Patel who at first spoke of women reservation.

"In 1930 when Sardar Patel was the president of municipal cooperation Ahmedabad, he proposed the idea of 33 percent women reservation but his proposal was thrown in garbage back then," he said.

"Sardar Patel did everything for the nation. Whatever he did was devoted to India," he added.

The Prime Minister further said, "We have taken 'unity' for granted, anti-social elements have taken this as an opportunity to sow seeds for divide."

Prime Minister Modi earlier in the day flagged off the 'Run for Unity' from Dhyan Chand stadium at India Gate on the birth anniversary of Patel.

He also administered pledge for national integration and unity to hundreds of participants. The Prime Minister also released a commemorative postage stamp on the Iron Man.

"Nation must never forget Sardar Patel and his mantra for country's unity. Every citizen dreams of a strong and self reliant nation which can be materialised by taking lessons from the life of Sardar Patel. Patel stood behind Mahatma Gandhi during freedom struggle," he said.