If Sardar Patel was PM, India would’ve become Pakistan: Kancha Ilaiah

Dalit activist and author Kancha Ilaiah stirred a controversy by saying that India would have gone along the lines of Pakistan had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel become the nation’s prime minister.

Dalit activist and author Kancha Ilaiah stirred a controversy by saying that India would have followed the likes of Pakistan had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel become the nation’s prime minister.

File photo of Kancha Ilaiah at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Rajasthan. (M Zhazo/HT Photo)

Speaking at the Times LitFest on Sunday, Ilaiah said that Patel was close to the Hindu Mahasabha and added that he wouldn’t have allowed Ambedkar to draft and write the Constitution.

The Congress party said everyone had a right to have an opinion.

“What Kancha Ilaiah has said is his personal view. One leader cannot be compared with another as every leader has his own stature. I would not like to comment on his views,” Congress leader PL Punia said.