Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday (December 15, 2025) said that Jawaharlal Nehru made the Kashmir issue controversial, which, according to him, led to extremism and separatism in the region. He made these remarks while addressing an event marking the 75th death anniversary of India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Sardar Patel and the Integration of Princely States
CM Adityanath praised Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for his pivotal role in integrating over 560 princely states into India after Independence. He highlighted examples like Junagadh and Hyderabad, where Patel’s wisdom and diplomacy achieved a smooth, bloodless integration of these regions into the Indian Union.
“All Hindu princely states agreed to join India, but the Nawab of Junagadh and the Nizam of Hyderabad refused. Both were successfully integrated through Sardar Patel’s leadership,” Adityanath said.
Controversy Over Jammu and Kashmir
Adityanath criticized Nehru’s handling of Jammu and Kashmir, claiming that the first Prime Minister took the issue into his own hands, making it controversial. He said this controversy continues to affect India even decades after Independence.
“Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru made Jammu and Kashmir a controversial matter, which brought extremism (‘ugravaad’) and separatism (‘algaavaad’) into the country,” the CM stated.
Abrogation of Article 370 and National Unity
The Chief Minister acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling the vision of Sardar Patel and Syama Prasad Mookerjee by abrogating Article 370, fully integrating Kashmir into India. He emphasized that this move reinforces the principle of one country, one constitution, and one flag.
Legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Born in Nadiad, Gujarat, in 1875, Sardar Patel was a key figure in India’s independence movement and served as the first Home Minister of India. His leadership was instrumental in uniting over 560 princely states into the Indian Union. Patel passed away in 1950, leaving behind a legacy of national integration and statecraft.
