The Ethical Issues Of Sardar Vallabhai Patel

Introduction

Sardar Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950) was an Indian lawyer and statesman, one of the founding fathers of India. He is famously acknowledged to be a communal leader of India who carried out an important role in achieving the country its independence. He helped the nation to be united and retaliate as one. He was known as the “Bismarck of India” and the “Iron Man of India” for his deeds.

He was the first Home Minister as well as the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. Patel established relief for refugees in the sates of Punjab and Delhi, fought to inculcate peace in the nation. The Iron man took responsibility of creating a united India by taking back the provinces which were under the British control and more than five hundred self-governing states, released from British suzerainty by the Indian Independence Act 1947. Usage of strict diplomacy, backed with the resource of military force, Patel’s leadership succeeded in persuading almost every princely state which did not have a Muslim majority to accede to India. He was one of the earliest proponents of property rights and free enterprise in India. He was a Vegan

Fighting for independence

While often opposing with British officials on civic issues, interest in politics was not seen in him. Patel was overwhelmed by Gandhi, when the British were rebelled in Champaran for the sake of the area’s oppressed farmers. Patel was particularly fascinated to Gandhi’s preference to action. Gandhi suggested that volunteers march peacefully.

Patel delivered a speech in Borsad in September 1917 which encouraged Indians nationwide to adhere to Gandhi’s petition demanding Swaraj-independence-from the British. Patel actively fought against veth-the forced servitude of Indians to Europeans-and prearranged relief efforts when there was an outburst in plague and famine in Kheda. Gandhi could not lead the struggle authorized by him there by himself, because of his involvements in Champaran. Patel vouched, When for a Gujarati activist was asked for to devote himself completely to the assignment by Gandhi. Even though he made his decision on spot, Patel later said that his interest and commitment came after rigorous personal inspection. He later realised he had to abandon his career and material desires.

Satyagraha in Gujarat

Patel braced Gandhi’s Non-cooperation movement and explored the state to recruit more than 300,000 members and raise over Rs. 1.5 million in funds. He helped arrange bonfires of British consignment in Ahmedabad. He tossed in all his English-style clothes. He and his children completely changed to wearing Khadi. Gandhi’s debateable suspension on conflict occurred due the Chauri Chaura incident was also supported by Patel. He worked lengthily in the following years against untouchability, alcoholism in Gujarat and caste discrimination, as well as for the empowerment of women. In the Congress, he was a firm supporter of Gandhi against his Swarajist critics. Ahmedabad was prolonged a massive supply of electricity and the education system undertook major restructurings. He struggled for the acknowledgment and payment of teachers hired in schools brought up by nationalists and even attended to complex Hindu-Muslim Issues. Sardar Patel personally supervised relief efforts in the aftershock of the intense severe rainfall in 1927, which had instigated major floods in the city and in the Kheda district and great devastation of life and property. He brought up refuge centres within the district, raised volunteers, made provisions for supply of food, medicines

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In April 1928, Sardar Patel resumed the freedom struggle from his municipal duties in Ahmedabad, when a serious predicament of a famine was suffered by bardoli and steep tax hike. Nevertheless the famine enclosed a large segment of Gujarat,The revenue hike was sharper than it had been in Kheda. After evaluating and conversing with the village representatives, highlighting the potential suffering and need for non-violence and consistency, The conflict for complete denial of taxes was initiated by Patel. Sardar Patel provided volunteers, camps and an info network to inflicted areas. The revenue denial was tougher than in Kheda and many understanding satyagrahas were chosen within Gujarat. Even though people were arrested, and properties were being seized, the struggle gained momentum . A settlement was negotiated through sympathetic mediators when the situation approached a head in August, abolishing the tax hike, restoring village officials who had reconciled in protest and the return of abjucted property and lands. Patel came to be acknowledged as Sardar by his colleagues and followers more often during the struggle and after the victory in Bardoli.

As Gandhi set off on the Dandi Salt March, Patel faced arrest in the village of Ras and was put to trial without witnesses, no advocates or pressman were allowed to attend. The momentum of the salt satyagraha increased in Gujarat as a result of Gandhi’s and Patel’s arrest. An anti-tax rebellion was launched until the release of Gandhi and Patel was certain, across the districts of Gujarat. Once released, Patel served as temporary Congress president, but was rearrested while leading a march in Mumbai. After the ratification of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Patel was chosen Congress president for its 1931 session in Karachi-here the Congress sanctioned the pact, dedicated itself to the defence of vital rights and human freedoms, and an idea of a secular nation, minimum wage and the elimination of untouchability and serfdom. Patel utilised his designation as Congress president in arranging the return of abjected lands to peasants in Gujarat. Gandhi and Patel faced arrest in January 1932, Upon the incompetent result of the Round Table Conference in London, when the struggle re-opened, and were sent to the Yeravda Central Jail. During this period of detention, Patel and Gandhi grew fond of each other, and the two inculcated a strong bond of affection, trust, and honesty. Their mutual connection could be defined as that of an elder brother (Gandhi) and his younger brother (Patel). Inspite of having disagreements with Gandhi, Patel esteemed his instincts and leadership. During captivity, the two would debate national and social issues, go through Hindu epics and crack jokes. Gandhi also educated Patel Sanskrit language. A detailed set of records of conversations between Gandhi and Patel was kept by Gandhi’s secretary, Mahadev Desai. When Gandhi set upon on a fast-unto-death opposing the separate electorates allotted for untouchables, Patel took care of Gandhi closely and himself abstained from consuming food. After his move to a jail in Nasik, he denied a British offer for a short release to attend his brother’s funeral Vithalbhai, who passed away in 1934. He was ultimately released in July.

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Patel’s role from 1934 largely connected to his designation at the highest level in the congress, in the party organisation. Patel played leading role in selecting and financing candidates for the provincial elections of 1936 and Central Legislative Assembly in New Delhi while he was based at an apartment in Mumbai .He also became the main fund raiser and the chairman of its Central Parliamentary Board. As he collected funds and selected candidates, he used to also analyse the Congress views on issues and opponents. Even though he did not contest for a seat to himself, Patel nonetheless led Congressmen who were elected at a national level and in provinces. In 1935, Patel undertook a surgery for haemorrhoids. But still led struggles against the resistance in Bardoli. He also led a conflict again, while he was undergoing surgery, when a famine struck Gujarat in 1939. Patel would lead the Congress bureaus who had won power across India with the goal of conserving party discipline. Patel was afraid about the possibilities that the British would use chances to create distress among elected Congressmen, and he did not wish for the organisation to be deviating from the goal of total independence. But Patel clashed with Nehru, while going against the announcements of the undertaking of socialism at the 1936 Congress session, which he trusted was a deviation from the priority goal of attaining independence. In 1938, Patel arranged rank and opposed the attempts of Subhas Chandra Bose, the president of congress at that time, who wanted to disregard Gandhi’s principles of non-violence. Patel thought that Bose wanted more power over the party. Bose’s resignation was a result of a protest of senior congress leader who were led by Patel. This led to a rise in criticism from Bose’s socialists, supporters, and other Congressmen that Patel considered himself in authority to retaliate appraised by Gandhi.

Quit India

On the occurrence of World War II Nehru’s decision to withdraw the party from central and legislatures was supported by Patel, which was in contrary to Gandhi’s advice. While the support towards Britain was denied by Gandhi on the basis of his moral disagreement to war, Subhas Chandra Bose opposed the British using military force. Rajagopalachari’s initiative was rejected by the British, and Patel incorporated Gandhi’s guidance again. He took part in Gandhi’s call for individual defiance, and faced arrest in 1940 and was held captive for nine months. He also went against the suggestions of the Cripps’ mission in 1942.Twenty pounds was lost by Patel during his period in jail.

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Historians believed that Patel’s speech succeeded in exciting nationalists, who had been cynical of the offered rebellion. It is believed by historians the work organised by Patel in this period ensured the success of the rebellion within India. Patel faced arrest on 9 August and was held captive from 1942 to 1945. Here he played bridge, spun cloth, read a lot of books, trained gardening, took long walks. Emotional support was given to his colleagues while they awaited news and progress of the outside, by him. Patel felt grief when he heard the news of the deaths of Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba, and his secretary, Mahadev Desai a year later. Patel wrote to his daughter informing her he and his colleagues were happy and were in peace for having executed their duties and not to worry. The Quit India movement was the most serious opposition faced by the British even when other political parties had conflicted the struggle and the British replied with brutal force and suppression, according to the viceroy who told Winston Churchill. Strikes, protests and other revolutionary activities had broken out across India. Patel was let free on June 15 1945.After he was released he found out that the British were ready hand over the country to the Indians.

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Biography

http://citizendia.org/Vallabhai Patel

http://divakar-bhardwaj.blogspot.in/2009/09/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel.html

http://www.enotes.com/topic/Vallabhai Patel

http://www.liveindia.com/freedomfighters/9.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vallabhai Patel