Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has alleged that Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, sought to use public funds for building the Babri Masjid, but Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel successfully opposed the plan. Singh made these remarks at a ‘Unity March’ in Gujarat celebrating Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary. He also commented on the efforts by some to downplay Patel’s legacy, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing Patel’s contributions to national prominence. Singh referenced the Somnath Temple restoration as an example of Patel’s principles. He stated that when Nehru questioned the funding for the temple’s renovation, Patel clarified that the entire Rs 30 lakh was a public donation, not government money. Singh drew a parallel with the Ayodhya Ram Temple, noting its construction was solely funded by the people, which he presented as the essence of secularism. Furthermore, Singh alleged that Nehru became Congress president in 1946 only after Patel withdrew his nomination based on Mahatma Gandhi’s advice.
