Congress forgot Sardar Patel's vision for India: Modi

He said independent India's first home minister believed one should not waste time writing history but "we should work hard to create history.

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Modi noted the Kashmir region was ultimately divided by a separate constitution and emblem, remarking the initial error "engulfed the nation in turmoil for decades."

The PM's address focused heavily on national unity and security, infiltration of illegal immigrants, contrasting the "steely resolve" of Patel with the approach of post-independence governments, which he accused of adopting "spineless" policies.

"Due to the Congress's weak policies, a part of Kashmir went under the illegal occupation of Pakistan, which then fueled state-sponsored terrorism. Kashmir and the country paid a heavy price, yet the Congress always bowed down to terrorism.

The Congress forgot Sardar Patel's vision, but we have not," he told the gathering at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations.