That the Sardar’s legacy predates Indira Gandhi’s martyrdom is a no brainer. That the Sardar’s legacy consists a large dose of strong will and selfless sacrifice to the nation is also part of recorded history. That the Sardar showed character of steel along with his able bureaucrat V.
P. Menon to unite more than 500 provinces in the Union of India in extremely trying circumstances and with the newly formed Pakistan breathing down the neck from both flanks and an extremely scheming colonial power which saw its future linked to this newly formed country is also a fact. That Nehru messed up on Kashmir is a fact that can only be avoided to deter uncomfortable queries of one of the icons of India’s independence movement is also a fact. That 12 of the 15 Provincial Congress Committees voted for the Sardar,the other three did not vote for anyone, to be the Congress President and consequently the first Prime Minister of India is also a fact. That the Sardar acquiesced in the larger interests of the country is also a fact. That Nehru acted as a petulant child for the PM’s chair and Gandhi gave into this behaviour for whatever reasons is also a fact. That even though the Sardar had banned the RSS he was the person who revoked it and called them patriots is a fact. That the Sardar was against plebiscite in Kashmir is also a fact though Nehru went ahead and announced it over All India Radio is a fact. That Nehru’s brand of socialist economy has arrive a cropper is also a fact. That it is also a fact that the Sardar was at the forefront of rebuilding the Somnath temple by relocating a mosque on that site. That Nehru was opposed to this is also a fact. That whether it not were for the Sardar’s iron will attitude India would contain still been divided among a number of principalities is a fact. TODAY WE OWE A UNITED INDIA TO SARDAR VALLABHAI PATEL IS AN INCONTROVERTIBLE AND UNDISPUTED FACT. That Indira Gandhi’s assassination at the hands of her Sikh bodyguards is a historical fact. That her assassination was a culmination of her faulty policies is also a fact. That the Indian Army blasted the Golden Temple is also a fact. That the Indian Army was used to flush out Bhindranawale and his militant army is also a fact. That Bhindranawale was a creation of Indira Gandhi to neutralize the Akalis in her game of power play in the Punjab is also a fact. That this game backfired over time is also a fact. That Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency in 1975 is also a fact. That in the process she destroyed many a democratic institution is also a fact. That she filled the judiciary with yes men is also a fact. That she treated fellow Congress leaders with absolute contempt and glorified domestic servants is also a fact. That she dismissed elected state governments is also a fact. That she ushered in dynastic politics in her party is also a fact. That she was responsible for the victory over Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh is also a fact. That she stood up to the United States prior to the India Pakistan clash is also a fact. That she was popular with the people was also a fact. That she was the only MAN in her cabinet is also a fact. That she romped back to power in 1980 because of inept (not suitable or capable, unqualified) and power hungry politicians in the Janata government is also a fact. That India was Indira and Indira was India was NOT a fact. THAT JAWARHARLAL NEHRU AND INDIRA GANDHI SELF NOMINATED THEMSELVES THE BHARAT RATNA, and India’s highest civilian award,IS ALSO A FACT. THAT VALLABHAI JHAVERBHAI PATEL WAS AWARDED THE BHARAT RATNA BY THE NARASIMHA RAO GOVERNMENT IN 1991 IS ALSO A FACT. THAT THE CONGRESS (I) PARTY CHOSE TO GLORIFY THE NEHRU GANDHI FAMILY ONLY AND EXCLUDE OTHER ICONS OF PRE AND POST INDEPENDENCE INDIA IS ALSO A FACT. However, the Congress (I) would like the people of India to believe otherwise and that the Indira Gandhi’s martyrdom supersedes the Sardar’s legacy. A study of historical facts which for obvious reasons the Congress (Indira) would like to miss confirms that the Sardar’s legacy is far more enduring and something that all Indians for eternity could be proud of. Indira Gandhi’s martyrdom on the contrary has just too many holes in them.
Source: cnn.com