Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. (Photo-ITG)

Preserving national unity every Indian's duty: Yogi Adityanath on National Unity Day

The UP CM described Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the 'Iron Man of India' and the architect of modern India, as an enduring inspiration for the vision of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'.

by · India Today

In Short

  • CM hails Sardar Patel as inspiration for 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat' vision
  • Sys pre-2017 UP politics weakened unity through caste-based divides
  • Stresses BJP govt places 'Nation First', social harmony at governance's core

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said preserving national unity was the duty of every Indian, as he paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary and extended greetings on National Unity Day.

In a post on X, Adityanath described Patel, popularly known as the 'Iron Man of India' and the architect of modern India, as an enduring inspiration for the vision of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'. He said Patel's life demonstrated that a nation's strength lay in its unity and that unity was rooted in the principle of 'Nation First'.

The chief minister also targeted the previous governments in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that before 2017, politics centred on appeasement, casteism and dynasticism had divided society, weakened national unity and undermined social harmony.

He said the situation had changed under the BJP's double-engine government, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which had placed 'Nation First' and the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' at the centre of governance.

Adityanath said the government had worked to strengthen social harmony and connect Patel's legacy with the vision of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'.

He also urged people to participate in the 'Run for Unity', organised every year on Patel's birth anniversary, saying the event offered an opportunity to reinforce the commitment to national integrity.

Calling upon citizens to make every step of the unity run a symbol of their commitment to the country, he reiterated the message of 'Nation First, Always First'.

- Ends