Sardar Patel deprived of Bharat Ratna for long, efforts made to undermine legacy: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that efforts were made to undermine Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s legacy and he was deprived of Bharat Ratna for several years.

Flagging off ‘Run for Unity’ ahead of the birth anniversary of Patel, the minister said it was due to the foresightedness and acumen of the country’s first home minister that over 550 princely states were merged with the Union of India and the country became united.

He said it was because of Sardar Patel’s will power and efforts that the Lakshadweep Islands, Junagarh, Hyderabad and all other princely states were merged with India.

“But there were efforts to erase and undermine Sardar Patel’s legacy. He was also deprived of Bharat Ratna for a long time,” Shah said while addressing participants at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here.

Sardar Patel was bestowed with Bharat Ratna - the country’s highest civilian award - posthumously in 1991, 41 years after his death in 1950, he said.