From Sardar Patel to Baba Amte: The ongoing journey of national integration

By Raj Kumar Sinha* 

National unity means the spirit of togetherness and fraternity among the citizens of a nation—one that transcends cultural, linguistic, and religious differences to bind people as one. It signifies loyalty to the Constitution, respect for national symbols, and a shared commitment to common goals. India celebrates Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) on 31 October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the “Iron Man of India,” who integrated 562 princely states after independence, giving India a strong and indivisible foundation. As Patel said, “It is our duty to see that India remains one and indivisible.”

The purpose of National Unity Day is to strengthen public awareness about preserving and reinforcing the nation’s unity, integrity, and security, while nurturing harmony among India’s diverse states, languages, religions, and cultures. India’s unity remains resilient, yet faces serious challenges today at social, economic, and political levels. The growing hate and violence in the name of religion are dividing society. Some anti-social forces, emboldened by political patronage, are spreading fear, insecurity, and mistrust. Vote-bank politics and hate-filled rhetoric are accelerating social fragmentation. Caste discrimination persists, undermining social cohesion, while widening gaps between the rich and poor, and between urban and rural India, are creating alienation and unrest—fertile ground for separatist tendencies and extremist ideologies. Social media has added to the chaos by spreading fake news and hate propaganda that deepen confusion and distrust.

Democracy and national unity are deeply interlinked. Democracy guarantees equal rights to all citizens, and unity safeguards those rights. National unity is the very soul of democracy—only when all move forward together can we achieve the ideal of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” Mahatma Gandhi rightly said, “India’s soul resides in its diversity.” He saw tolerance, non-violence, and communal harmony as the cornerstones of unity, believing that people of all faiths and castes together would shape a free India. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru emphasised “unity in diversity,” envisioning a modern, secular, and democratic nation of equals. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar asserted that without social equality, national unity cannot exist—hence his insistence on equality and social justice in the Constitution. Subhas Chandra Bose believed that “without national unity, freedom has no meaning,” urging people to rise above caste, religion, and region for the sake of the nation.

The leaders of India’s freedom struggle understood that the country’s true strength lies in unity amid diversity—a belief that continues to bind the nation. Baba Amte’s Bharat Jodo Yatra was one of the most inspiring and socially significant movements in modern Indian history. Launched in the 1980s amid growing communal and caste violence, the yatra carried a message of unity, harmony, and environmental consciousness. Its goal was not just geographical integration but emotional and social solidarity—a call to unite hearts across divisions. I myself participated in Baba Amte’s second Bharat Jodo Yatra in 1988, which stretched from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Okha in Gujarat in the west. Along the way, I experienced India’s vast diversity and the warmth and hospitality of its people. The main slogan of the march was: “Break the bonds of caste and religion—Unite India, Unite India!”

The Preamble of India’s Constitution defines the country as a “Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic,” built on the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity—the very pillars of national unity. Article 1 declares India a “Union of States,” ensuring political cohesion. Articles 14–18 prohibit discrimination on grounds of caste, religion, gender, or language; Articles 19–22 guarantee individual freedoms; and Articles 25–28 ensure religious freedom and respect for all faiths. Article 51A lays down the duty of every citizen to uphold India’s unity and integrity and to promote communal harmony.

The language provisions (Articles 343–351) establish Hindi as the official language and English as an associate language, promoting linguistic unity. Articles 352–360 empower the Centre to safeguard national integrity during emergencies, while Article 355 mandates the Union to protect states from external aggression or internal disturbances. The Constitution not only grants rights but also expects citizens to strengthen unity, integrity, and brotherhood.

In recent years, the central government’s Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat initiative has sought to promote unity in diversity by pairing states to encourage cultural, linguistic, and economic exchange. However, the gravest threats to unity today are not from outside, but from within—arising out of growing intolerance, inequality, and political polarisation.

To preserve national unity, we must strengthen the values of tolerance, equality, social justice, and mutual respect. True unity will emerge only when marginalised communities are brought into the mainstream and their rights safeguarded. Reducing economic inequality can ease social tensions and reinforce solidarity. National unity is essential for nation-building—it ensures stability, harmony, and progress. Only through unity in diversity can India remain a shining example of a strong, inclusive, and democratic nation.

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*Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected Association