The following two extracts from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s India Wins Freedom show how indifferent then Home Minister Sardar Vallabbhai Patel was towards the killings of Muslims. They also make us understand why the BJP extends so much love to Patel, in spite of the latter being a Congressman:
“I distinctly remember one occasion when the three of us were sitting with Gandhiji. Jawaharlal said with deep sorrow that he could not tolerate the situation in Delhi, where Muslim citizens were being killed like cats and dogs. He felt humiliated that he was helpless and could not save them. His conscience would not let him rest. We were completely taken aback by Sardar Patel’s reaction. He told Gandhiji that Jawaharlal’s complaints were completely incomprehensible. There may have been some isolated incidents, but Government was doing everything possible to protect the life and property of Muslims and nothing more could be done.”
“Gandhiji said that he saw Muslims of Delhi being killed before his very eyes. This was being done while his own Vallabbhai was the Home Minister. Patel had not only failed to give protection to Muslims, but he lightheartedly dismissed any complaint made on this count. Patel complained that there was no real reason for Gandhiji’s fast. He said in some bitterness that Gandhiji was acting as if Sardar Patel was responsible for the murder of Muslims. Gandhiji replied: I am not in China but in Delhi. Nor have I lost my eyes and ears. If you ask me to disbelieve the testimony of my own eyes and ears, convince me.”
Maulana Azad’s book “India Wins Freedom” (Pages 215,216).
G. Hasnain Kaif
Bhandara, Maharashtra