India celebrated Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) on October 31, 2025, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the “Iron Man of India.” The day honours Patel’s unmatched contribution to national integration, especially his role in merging over 550 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence.
The main celebration was held at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel, administered the ‘unity pledge’, and reviewed a spectacular Unity Parade showcasing India’s diversity and strength.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted Sardar Patel’s vision of a united India and made strong remarks on historical decisions that shaped the nation’s destiny.
PM said that Sardar Patel wanted to integrate the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir into India, just as he successfully did with other princely states, but “Nehru ji did not allow it.” Modi added that Kashmir was later “given a separate Constitution and flag,” calling it a “mistake that caused the nation to suffer for decades.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that the idea of ‘One India, Excellent India’ (Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat) was central to Patel’s philosophy, and lamented that later governments failed to uphold that spirit of unity.
Modi’s statement has reignited the long-standing debate on the integration of Jammu and Kashmir, and the differing roles of Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru in that process. By drawing this historical contrast, the Prime Minister underscored the current government’s stance on national unity and sovereignty, particularly in regions like Kashmir and the Northeast.
Since its inception in 2014, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas has been celebrated every year to reinforce India’s strength, resilience, and unity—values that Sardar Patel championed throughout his life.
The celebration emphasized the need for citizens to actively uphold unity and reject divisive ideologies. The government used the occasion to highlight how Patel’s vision continues to guide present-day policies related to national integration and security. Modi’s speech also sought to draw a clear contrast between the current administration’s assertive approach and what he described as past leniency in handling national issues.
The Unity Day parade featured contingents from the police, paramilitary forces, and the NCC, with several units led by women officers, symbolizing the diversity and empowerment of modern India.
President Droupadi Murmu also paid homage to Sardar Patel, urging all citizens to work toward building a “strong, harmonious, and excellent India.”
