NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi raked up the anti-Sikh violence that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi this day 30 years ago and said it was a "dagger" in the centuries-old fabric of India's unity as he dedicated the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as National Unity Day.
With the aim of according the 'Iron Man of India' his place in history, the government said the event was not an attempt to belittle the contribution of any other leader.
Flagging off the 'run for unity on the 139th birth anniversary of the first home minister of the country celebrated as "Rashtriya Ekta Divas", Modi noted that the day was also being commemorated as the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi but made a veiled reference to the anti-Sikh riots that followed her assassination.
Modi said Patel devoted his life for the unity of the nation and it was unfortunate that "our very own people" were killed on his birth anniversary 30 years ago. "...In the same country, 30 years ago, on the birth anniversary of the same leader something happened which cast a blow to the unity of the nation.
"Hamare apne logon ko maut ke ghaat utar diya gaya (our own people were killed on that day. That incident was not a wound in the heart of any community. It was a dagger in the centuries-old fabric of India's unity," he said.
"Patel never deviated from his vision of national unity despite facing obstacles in his political life. It is a misfortune of this country that 30 years ago on the birth anniversary of such a leader an incident which shook the unity of nation took place," Modi said.
READ MORE: Most Significant Bills To Come Up This Parliament Session
Clean India: Modi Praises Leading Citizens
Magazine : 
.jpg "Unlocking Potential Redefining Potential & Redefining Excellence")
