Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution on unity, safety and security of India

 
Note: This essay was written by me in 2014 and might be lacking the context of present developments
 

The Prussian statesman Otto Von Bismarck started dominating the European scene in 1860s and the comic book icon Stan Lee created the character of Iron man in 1963. Sometime in the midst of these developments,India too had its share of game changing heroes. Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Gujarat to Zaverbhai and Ladbai. His strong determination was clear right from his childhood when he wanted to be a lawyer. Because of being born in a farmer’s family, he could not afford the resources, but still managed to work his way through self-study and by borrowing books from his friends. He started practicing law at Ahmedabad. After a meeting with Mahatma Gandhi at the Gujarat Club, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel got influenced by his thoughts. Later, inspired by Gandhi's work and philosophy, Patel became a staunch follower.

From 1917, Vallabhbhai was involved actively in the Indian National Movement. He led many movements in all parts of India, which were a crucial part of the foundations of Indian freedom. He was also involved in the famous “Salt movement” by Gandhi and was even imprisoned for that. His speeches would inspire thousands and thousands, many of whom later turned into freedom fighters and Congress members themselves. In 1934 he led the all India campaign for the Indian National Congress. He was not contesting himself, but it was his support and decisive action which helped all the Congress candidates. He was an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi and whole heartedly took part in all the movements led by Gandhi. Even when other big names in Congress were opposed to Gandhi’s views, it was Patel whose clever and strong persuasion and leadership skills which made Gandhi’s word to be the final decision in Congress.  Eventually India got freedom

In the 1946 election for the Congress presidency, Patel stepped down in favour of Jawaharlal Nehru at the request of Gandhi. The election was important as the elected President would lead independent India's first Government. As the first Home Minister, Patel played a key role in integration of many princely states into the Indian federation.

In the elections, the Congress won a huge majority of the elected seats, dominating the Hindu electorate. But the Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah won a large majority of Muslim electorate seats. The League had resolved in 1940 to demand Pakistan—an independent state for Muslims, and was an opposition for the Congress. The Congress formed governments in all provinces except Sindh, Punjab and Bengal, where it entered into coalitions with other parties.

India has had many good leaders in the last two centuries. We have had visionaries, idealists, excellent orators and even bold and young ones which were bent on taking violent action for problems. But a combination of a thoughtful yet decisive action taker was just what India needed post-Independence. After the British left, India was divided into 3 types of stated: first were the ones ruled by princes, second were those ruled directly by the British and the third were French and Portuguese territories. The plan of 16 June 1946 proposed the partition of India on religious lines, with over 600 princely states free to choose between independence or accession to either dominion based on religious lines. All the princes and the people were free to choose their own fate based on self-interest. And what is best for an individual (state) may not be best for all. Now this game theory led conflict of interests led a turmoil where all the participants were constantly negotiating and trying various permutations to be at the seat of maximum power. Had India not got someone with Sardar’s capability that time, we would have for sure been in a much worse state, opening up the chances of invasions or economic peril.

Sardar Patel’s best contribution to our nation came at this time, like Brahmastra in the battle of Mahabharat. Through a series of heroic negotiations and persuasions with the use of debate, threat and force, he managed to carve a united India. Sardar issued a statement to the princes in which he appealed to the patriotism of the princes and assured them that the new States Department does not desire to have supremacy over them. Quoting him "If at all, any sense of supremacy is required, it would be with common understanding and for common good. We are at a momentous stage in the history of India. By common endeavor, we can raise the country to new greatness, while lack of unity will expose us to unexpected calamities. I hope the Indian States will realise fully that if we do not cooperate and work together in the general interest, anarchy and chaos will overwhelm us all great and small, and lead us to total ruin". This statement which shows his clear understanding of human nature and his superior diplomacy, removed whatever doubts lurked in the minds of the princes.

Jinnah with a view to tempt Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and other border States made them an unconditional offer to align with Pakistan on their terms. Travancore, Hyderabad and some others declared themselves sovereign States and  laid obstacles on the course of unification.

The Nawab of Bhopal could not take all this but when he realized that there was no other way, was forced to join the Indian union. A popular agitation in Travancore and made the State accede to India. The task of merging all sates of Rajputana, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Saurashtra union was also accomplished by Sardar Patel. Soon, State after State started acceding to the Indian Union. One after the other, Gwalior, Indore, Dhar, Dewas all accepted the advice of Sardar. Rajputana States followed the same. The Sikhs of Punjab also cooperated with the merger.

On 13 September 1948, Indian Army's Hyderabad Campaign, code-named "Operation Polo" was commenced, with Indian troops invading Hyderabad from all points of the compass. Within 4 days, the Nizam surrendered. Hyderabad became a state of India. The annexation of Hyderabad was generally welcomed by majority Hindus in the state, but Muslims emphasized the unlawfulness of the invasion. Some even migrated to Pakistan. Now Princely State Hyderbad is part of Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Thus, the yajna for establishment of a united India undertaken by Sardar was completed with the merger of Hyderabad. Politically, India became one and united. In the history of India stretched over ages, India became one and united for the first time and that too without shedding a drop of blood. An example of what Patel’s presence meant for India can be seen in the Kashmir issue which still haunts us. It was one was the states in which accession did not see a role of Patel.

Sardar Patel was one of the best statesman-administrator India had. His astute political skills combined with ruthless pragmatism which helped free, unite and govern India, earned him the title of "Indian Bismarck". I would even argue that he was better than Bismarck, as Prussian (later German) rule cost many lives; but all which Patel did was with non-violence and without spilling a single drop of blood due to his flawless strategies.  India, is still again struck in an Economic and political battlefield, and millions of the victims in India, demand a leader like him.