Why Sardar Patel defied Gandhi to give India a strong army

medium nocaption116828038As India celebrates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, it is crucial to revisit his speeches, which remain remarkably relevant. At a time when the nation was transitioning from colonial rule amid the upheaval of Partition, Patel, as India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister, addressed challenges such as minority protection, national security and data-driven governance.These speeches, meticulously reported by the Times of India, provide enduring insights for today’s India, which continues to confront similar issues. From securing the rights of minorities to advocating for a strong military and emphasising the importance of reliable data for policymaking, Patel’s words offer a practical framework for navigating the complexities of governance.For instance, Patel’s November 1947 speech assured minorities, especially Muslims who chose to stay in India, that their rights, lives and property would be protected. He stressed the government’s “sacred duty” to treat all individuals equally, irrespective of their faith.His rejection of forced conversions and appeal for cooperation between communities is highly relevant as India navigates current debates around secularism and communal harmony. With contentious policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and discussions surrounding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Patel’s insistence on impartial governance reminds us that social cohesion depends on trust in the state’s fairness. medium114782974In January 1948, Patel addressed the need for a strong military at a public meeting in Bombay. While acknowledging Mahatma Gandhi’s belief in non-violence, Patel stressed that practical realities demanded military preparedness. He stated that India’s defence forces must be strong enough that “no power would ever think of interfering”. His message remains critical today, given India’s ongoing border disputes with China and Pakistan and internal security challenges.In February 1950, Patel noted the importance of the census in shaping India’s policies, noting that it was more than a headcount — it was essential for economic planning and policymaking. He urged a focus on socio-economic data rather than outdated caste categories, a vision that resonates with current demands for a caste-based census.Patel’s insights into data transparency and economic planning reflect the modern need for data-driven governance, especially as India prepares for the 2025 census. His focus on inclusion and representation remains critical in addressing resource distribution and electoral planning today.Here’s an in-depth look at three major speeches he made between 1947 and 1950.On minority refugees after Partition (Nov 6, 1947)In the wake of India’s Partition and the ensuing mass migration, Patel issued a statement on November 6, 1947 in New Delhi, affirming the Indian government’s commitment to protecting individuals who chose to remain in India. Patel stated that it was the government’s “sacred duty and obligation” to extend full protection to such persons, ensuring that law and order would safeguard their lives, property and rights.Patel’s statement came at a time of immense uncertainty, with millions of people crossing borders between India and the newly formed Pakistan. Amid the chaos, religious minorities — particularly Muslims staying in India — feared for their safety and questioned whether they would receive fair treatment. Patel’s speech was intended to provide reassurance, indicating that those who stayed in India would enjoy the same rights and protection as other citizens.He acknowledged the complexities and misunderstandings surrounding the refugee crisis, especially with regard to abandoned properties. Some people, he noted, misunderstood the government’s decisions about managing these properties, leading to anxiety among both evacuees and minority communities. Patel stressed the need for clear communication to avoid further confusion and ensure that custodial management of abandoned properties would be just and lawful. medium114806313Patel also underscored that custodianship over the properties left behind by evacuees would be exercised responsibly by the government. His intention was to prevent panic among the evacuees and assure those staying in India that their property would not be arbitrarily taken. This reassurance was crucial in maintaining public trust during a period marked by widespread displacement and loss.Patel also condemned incidents of forced religious conversions and pledged that the government would not tolerate any form of religious coercion. His remarks reflected the government’s commitment to upholding secularism and religious freedom despite the communal tensions triggered by Partition. Patel’s strong stance was a warning against elements seeking to exploit the instability for communal gains.Patel appealed to all communities to cooperate with the government in its efforts to rebuild the nation, stating that peace and stability were essential for progress. His speech aimed to instil confidence among minorities and encourage reconciliation between communities.On the need for a strong army (Jan 18, 1948)In his speech at a large public meeting at Chowpatty, Bombay in January 1948, Patel outlined the essential tasks facing the newly independent Indian government and made a powerful case for building a strong military.Addressing a crowd of approximately 100,000 people, Patel stressed that for India to survive and safeguard its sovereignty, “our army ought to be so strong that no power would ever think of interfering with India”.This speech, reported TOI, reflected Patel’s pragmatic vision of leadership, focusing on security, unity and economic discipline during a fragile post-independence period.While acknowledging Mahatma Gandhi’s belief in non-violence, Patel asserted that such an approach could not dictate the nation’s defence policy. “As a practical man,” Patel remarked, “I cannot accept the Mahatma’s advice regarding military strength.”He stated that India needed to build an army that could protect it from external threats in a world still rife with geopolitical risks. His clear stance on military preparedness reflected the vulnerabilities the government faced, especially in light of the conflict over Kashmir and the challenges of integrating princely states. medium114806352A significant portion of Patel’s speech was dedicated to addressing the disruptive labour unrest sweeping through the country. Patel criticised the socialists and communists for their role in organising strikes that crippled vital sectors. Referring to a token general strike called just days after the signing of an industrial truce, Patel questioned the motives behind such actions: “Why should they try to cripple the government and the country by strikes?”He underscored the inconsistency of the communists, pointing out that during British rule, they advocated for “no strikes, more production”, but now, under a national government, their approach had changed to promoting unrest.Patel was especially critical of ongoing strikes at the Bombay Port Trust, which disrupted the unloading of food supplies and exacerbated the food crisis. He stated that he would not intervene to resolve the strike, as “the strikers should suffer the consequences of their actions”. Patel’s stance illustrated his belief in accountability and discipline, especially during a period when national resources were stretched thin.Patel also addressed calls for the nationalisation of industries, asserting that while the government was open to the idea, it needed time to stabilise the economy. “Let the industries first become established and attain maturity,” he argued, pointing to the government’s immediate focus on rehabilitating refugees and managing the integration of princely states.His pragmatic approach reflected his recognition of the practical limitations facing a young nation, balancing ideological goals with pressing economic needs.Throughout his speech, Patel extolled the importance of national unity and responsible citizenship. Echoing Gandhi’s message of peaceful coexistence, Patel urged Indians to live harmoniously with all communities.He appealed to the people to support the government’s mission, stating that “the tasks before the government are staggering, and only through collective effort can we overcome them”.On the key role of census (Feb 23, 1950)On February 23, 1950, Patel inaugurated a conference of census superintendents in New Delhi, delivering a speech on the significance of the census in shaping India’s administrative policies. This was particularly important as India was preparing to conduct its first census as a republic, marking a pivotal moment in its history.Patel’s speech, reported by TOI, reflected the government’s vision of using the census not just as a demographic tool but as an instrument for socio-economic planning and policy formulation.Patel stated that the census was no longer a mere counting of heads but an essential exercise in gathering scientific data of sociological importance. He explained that the data collected would provide insights into the economic activities and livelihoods of citizens, which would guide the government’s planning and policy decisions.Patel noted the census’s potential for economic development, saying it would focus on understanding means of livelihood and economic activities rather than compiling detailed caste tables.“The present census would devote greater attention to the collection and formulation of basic economic data,” he observed. medium114806377Patel also stressed that the forthcoming census would be the first conducted under the framework of India’s new Constitution, which recognised the census as a vital tool for governance. He pointed out that census data would play a critical role in delimiting territorial constituencies, directly impacting electoral boundaries and representation.Patel also praised the efficiency and scale of the Indian census, remarking that it was the largest and most economical census operation in the world.Reflecting on his role as home minister, Patel also expressed satisfaction at having introduced a permanent statute for census operations. He acknowledged the absence of William Walter Murray Yeatts (who died on August 4, 1948), India’s permanent census commissioner, and recognised his dedication to the task.“Few people realise that the census is an administrative operation of great dimensions, in addition to being a scientific process,” Patel said. He highlighted that the census provided the government with an opportunity to reach every household across the vast nation, fostering a direct connection between the state and its citizens.