Hyderabad – Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on September 17 hailed Operation Polo as a glorious chapter in Bharat’s history, stating that it was not merely a military campaign but a decisive blow by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel which shattered the Razakars’ conspiracy and ensured the merger of Hyderabad with the Indian Union. “The success of Operation Polo demonstrated to the world that India has always been both capable and powerful in protecting its unity,” he said.
The Defence Minister was addressing the Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rajnath Singh praised Sardar Patel as the ‘Iron Man’ who united North and South India, adding that “just like Sardar Patel, our Prime Minister is working to strengthen India culturally, socially, spiritually and economically.”
Attended Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations in Hyderabad (Telangana).
Operation Polo and the unification of Hyderabad with India is a glorious chapter of our History. It was Sardar Patel’s vision and decisive action that led to Hyderabad’s liberation from the clutches… pic.twitter.com/2Fq2lQCMiL
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 17, 2025
Underscoring India’s growing global stature, he credited PM Modi with transforming the nation and expressed confidence that India will soon emerge as the world’s third-largest economy. “Today, India does not take dictation from anyone; it writes its own script,” he asserted.
Turning to national security, the Raksha Mantri drew parallels between 1948 and the present day. “Just as the Razakars’ conspiracy collapsed in 1948, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and its agents have failed today. India has again given a befitting reply with Operation Sindoor. We have again proved that our unity and cultural diversity are our greatest strength,” he said.
सरदार पटेल ने आख़िरी पल तक शांति का रास्ता खोजने की कोशिश की। उन्होंने यह भी सुनिश्चित किया कि देश में सांप्रदायिक दंगे न हों और अमन-चैन कायम रहे। ये दर्शाता है कि वे शांति और अखंडता के सबसे सशक्त प्रतीक हैं। pic.twitter.com/T6sZbnxvyK
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 17, 2025
Highlighting India’s strategic resolve, he added: “Operation Sindoor, the 2016 Surgical Strike and the 2019 Balakot Air Strike are proof that India’s patience is its strength, not weakness. We choose the path of hard power when negotiations fail to yield any solution.” He stressed that while the New India, under Prime Minister Modi, believes in dialogue, it also knows how to give a decisive reply to those who do not understand the language of peace and goodwill.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh recalled that while terrorists targeted innocent citizens in Pahalgam based on their dharma, the Indian Armed Forces struck back in Pakistan and PoK based on their karma. He credited the valour and dedication of the Armed Forces for its success, reiterating that the operation is only on hold and will resume in full force if fresh terrorist activity is orchestrated from across the border. He further emphasised that India rejected any third-party intervention during the ceasefire, making it clear that “no third party can interfere in India’s internal matters.”
As part of the Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations, Rajnath Singh also visited the Liberation Day Photo Exhibition organised by the Central Bureau of Communication, Hyderabad. Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy and Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar were among the dignitaries present.
