Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday at a seminar on the National Education Policy, 2020, suggested that India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was in the position “by accident”. Khattar argued that either Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel or Dr. B.R. Ambedkar could have been chosen instead, highlighting their significant contributions to the country.
Speaking at the event, which was held at the Tagore Auditorium in Rohtak, Khattar said, “After independence, no one contributed more to the shaping of the country than Dr. Ambedkar. He was not just a leader of any one caste, but a leader of all sections of society, especially the weaker sections.”
He continued, “I even say that Jawaharlal Nehru became the Prime Minister by accident. If anyone else could have been considered for the position, it could have been Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel or Dr. BR Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions were no less than him (Nehru).” Khattar also emphasised the crucial role of Dr. Ambedkar in shaping India’s social and economic foundations.
#WATCH | Rohtak | Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar says, “…Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the Prime Minister of the nation by accident…Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel or Dr BR Ambedkar could have been made the Prime Minister in his place…The role of Dr BR Ambedkar is very… pic.twitter.com/iEOXz6btk2
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025
In response, former Haryana chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda mocked Khattar, saying, “Someone who became Chief Minister by accident (Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar) will make such statements.”
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Congress Always Thinks Of ‘Party’s Interests First’ While BJP Thinks Of Country First: Khattar
In the Rohtak event, Khattar further criticised Congress, stating, “Congress always thinks of ‘party’s interests first, the country’s later’”. He contrasted this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “India First” approach and referenced the ideological guidance of Dr. Deendayal Upadhyay.
He recounted an anecdote about Upadhyay during his time as Jan Sangh’s General Secretary, where he responded to a media query about the changing political environment. Khattar shared, “Like PM Modi says ‘India First’, I will tell you a story of Dr. Deendayal Upadhyay. When he was the General Secretary of Jan Sangh, the media once asked him what would happen if the political environment changed and the party’s ideology shifted, as it is happening with Congress today.”
Khattar continued, recounting Upadhyay’s simple response: “He simply replied that we are not concerned about this. For us, Jan Sangh is like a carrot’s flute, as long as it plays, we will play it, but if it stops, we will eat it and bring a new one.”
The former Haryana chief minister concluded, emphasising the importance of national interest over political affiliations, “For us, the nation’s interest is more important than any individual or organisation. If the nation is strong, everything is strong. Our thoughts should be focused on advancing the nation’s ideology and legacy.”
