Patel had saved Muslims during 1947 riots, says Shashi Tharoor
1 Nov 2013 11:29 PM GMT
Accusing Narendra Modi of using Sardar Patel’s name for his political goals, Union minister Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said Patel saved lives of thousands of Muslims during 1947 riots, a veiled comparison to 2002 Gujarat riots during Modi’s rule. ‘He (Patel) was a Gandhian and a tremendous devotee of the Mahatma. I am sorry to hear that some people are choosing his name as a battleground for their political objectives,’ he said, attacking the BJP prime ministerial candidate.
‘The fact is that secularism of Sardar Patel was anchored in real genuine Gandhian compassion for all Indians, for all religions, every castes...,’ he said on the sidelines of an event.
Asked about Modi’s alleged attempts to appropriate the legacy of Patel, Tharoor said it was a ‘shame’ that his name should be used for disunity today as ‘he did more than anyone else to promote the unity of our country’.
‘The fact is that secularism of Sardar Patel was anchored in real genuine Gandhian compassion for all Indians, for all religions, every castes...,’ he said on the sidelines of an event.
Asked about Modi’s alleged attempts to appropriate the legacy of Patel, Tharoor said it was a ‘shame’ that his name should be used for disunity today as ‘he did more than anyone else to promote the unity of our country’.
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