SARDAR PATEL'S VISION OF RELIGIOUS HARMONY IN POST-INDEPENDENT INDIA

Abstract

This Study delves into Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's approach to religious harmony and secularism in the context of a diverse and pluralistic India. Vallabhbhai Patel, a pivotal figure in the country's history, played a crucial role in shaping India's secular identity during its early post-independence years. This study examines Patel's multifaceted efforts, strategies, and policies to foster religious harmony and establish a secular state that accommodated the diverse religious beliefs and practices of its citizens. It explores his initiatives to prevent communal violence, engage with religious leaders, protect minority rights, and consolidate a unified nation from the fragments of partition. Furthermore, this Paper assesses the enduring legacy of Patel's secular vision in modern India, considering its impact on the nation's on-going commitment to secularism and religious coexistence.

Keywords: Sardar Patel, religious harmony, secularism, minority rights, communal violence, secular identity.