Committees seek official celebration of Sardar Patel's birth anniversary in Kalyana Karnataka
Organisations have requested the State government to observe the anniversary annually across seven districts of the region.
The Steel Man Sardar Patel Jayantotsava Committee and the Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti have requested the State government to officially mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31 every year. According to The Hindu, the demand was made by honorary president Basavaraj Deshmukh and founder president Laxman Dasti in Kalaburagi on Saturday.
The leaders, who paid floral tributes at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle, said official observations would help younger generations understand the history of the region and Patel's role in national integration. They noted that Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, oversaw Operation Polo in September 1948, which led to the integration of the Hyderabad State and the Kalyana Karnataka region into India on September 17, 1948.
The committees urged Kalaburagi district in-charge Minister Priyank Kharge and other regional representatives to take up the matter with the State government. They also called for the modernisation of the Sardar Patel Circle in Kalaburagi, noting that nearly 28 years have passed since the statue was unveiled.
Member of the Legislative Council Shashil Namoshi, who attended the event, said he would work to persuade political leaders in the region to pressure the government for these official celebrations. He emphasised the importance of teaching young people about Patel's ideals regarding national integrity and farmers' welfare.