File photo: Defense minister Rajnath Singh (Picture credit: PTI)
NEW DELHI: Defense minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Operation Sindoor had sent a clear signal that India responds firmly when pushed, drawing a parallel between the government’s action against terrorism and the decisive leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Speaking at the ‘Sardar Sabha’ in Vadodara’s Sadhli village during the Unity March organised to mark Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, he said the operation demonstrated India’s ability to act when peace efforts are ignored.”India showed the world through Operation Sindoor that it is capable of giving a befitting reply to those who do not understand the language of peace and goodwill”, Singh said, as quoted by news agency PTI.Singh praised the armed forces for the success of the mission, stating that “the world is today acknowledging the bravery and capabilities of Indian soldiers.” He added that Patel too believed in dialogue but did not hesitate to take a hard line when required, recalling his role in Hyderabad’s merger. According to him, the present government had upheld the same value through Operation Sindoor, which is “being discussed not only on Indian soil but also in other countries around the world”. The minister targeted former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru over the Babri Masjid issue, saying Nehru intended to construct it using public funds, a proposal prevented by Patel. Singh said Patel had also clarified that the restoration of the Somnath Temple was different because the Rs 30 lakh required had been contributed by ordinary citizens. “Similarly, the government didn’t give a single rupee to construct the Ram Temple in Ayodhya,” he said, calling it an example of “real secularism”.Singh said the Modi government had strengthened Patel’s vision of a united India, citing the removal of Article 370. He argued that if Patel’s approach had been followed during the accession of Kashmir, the issue would not have lingered for decades. He also criticised attempts by earlier governments to minimise Patel’s legacy, claiming that even memorial funds raised by people were redirected on Nehru’s instructions. He questioned why Patel was not given the Bharat Ratna at the time, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi later honoured him through the Statue of Unity.Emphasising national security and defense modernisation, Singh said Patel had long pushed for indigenous capability — an approach the current government is pursuing through Make in India. India aims to achieve defense production worth Rs 3 lakh crore and exports of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029, he said, highlighting that defense exports had risen nearly 34-fold in 11 years.He also spoke of the proposed Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks ethical conduct from those in high office, providing for automatic removal if a person arrested on serious charges does not secure bail within 30 days. Singh said Patel himself cared little for position, recalling that he stepped aside in 1946 on Mahatma Gandhi’s advice, allowing Nehru to become Congress president despite having majority backing.Senior leaders, including Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, also attended the event.