With Indian independence in 1947, to fulfil Indian people's aspiration for democracy, Saradar Patel, acknowledging the various sacrifices of the rulers of Princely states for their country and religion, started a peaceful progress of convincing them to accede to the Union of India according to the terms of the constitution allowing their statuses, privileges and autonomy in internal matters during a transitional period ending 1956
But according to Saradar Patel's promise and arrangement in the constitution they received Privy purses (government allowances) in British sterling, which was later changed to Indian currency by I.N. Congress; and later in 1971 it brought 26th amendment to the constitution and abolished Privy purses- the remuneration which was meant to last a very long time; and the former Princely states ceased to exist for ever; the princes did not want to loose Privy purses. It is certainly unjust to them because even members of legislative assembly get a huge amount of pension life time in India.
Saradar Patel's and Mahatma Gandhi's life style was very simple, while Pandit Nehru's life style was western. Saradar Patel had returned whatever money was left in political fund to the Congress party. Without the formation of the Union of India, India would have been fractured,and as a consequence all the people would have suffered a lot. As the march of democracy is irreversible,all the people sacrificed for the good of the country in some or the other way.
R.N.Patel
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