Sardar Patel: The Backbone of India's Freedom Struggle Revealed

As the MP CM flagged off the 'Run for Unity' in Bhopal, organised to celebrate National Unity Day, he remembered how the freedom fighter got his title of 'Sardar' following his role in the Bardoli satyagraha'. During the event, the Chief Minister, along wit the guests and the runners took the unity pledge.

"After the Bardoli andolan, Sardar Vallabhbahai Patel was known as the title of 'sardar'. After that, whether it was the salt march, or whatever other movement for freedom which were started by Mahatma Gandhi. But Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the backbone of all movements (during the freedom struggle) and ensured their success. All his steps are relevant even to this day," CM Yadav said during his speech.

The Madhya Pradesh CM further remembered the freedom fighter's roots, crediting his elder brother, Vithalbhai Patel to convince his younger brother to study abroad. Later on, when Sardar Patel saw the plight of farmers, he participated and led the Bardoli andolan, protesting against British taxation on farmers.

"Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, coming from a common farmer family, with his elder brother Vithalbhai and him Vallabhbhai. After being told by his elder brother, he decided to go study abroad and made his name for himself. But the bond of two brothers, with Vithalbhai being a big politician, Vallabhbhai...when he (Vallabhbhai Patel) went to satyagraha used to be a bit shy about them. He also saw that farmers were getting taxed, if disaster has happened people are dying hungry," CM Yadav said.

Bardoli, located in the now Surat district of Gujarat, was part of the Bombay presidency in British India. Site of the Bardoli satyagraha, the movement was Initiated in 1928 against the Britishers with the aim to oppose the heightened taxation of 22% imposed on farmers. The farmers protested against the rise in crop revenue, and the government confiscated their lands.

- ANI