October 31 marked the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — the “Iron Man of India,” a towering figure in our freedom struggle and the architect of India’s unity. His remarkable leadership during the immediate post-independence period, especially his role in integrating 562 princely states into the newly formed Republic of India, cemented his place in history.

Yet, successive governments and the political ecosystem have failed to honour his legacy, ignoring such great leaders for the sake of vote-bank politics disguised as pseudo-secularism. It is time political parties shed the mindset that secularism means permitting hatred towards Sanatana Dharma or indulging in divisive politics for votes. Professors and spokespersons who appear on television shouting about “secularism

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