PM Modi Leads Unity Pledge at Statue of Unity on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi administered the 'Ekta Shapath' national unity pledge to a public gathering at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on 31 October 2026, marking Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi led the national unity pledge ceremony at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 31 October 2026 .
The event marked Rashtriya Ekta Diwas , observed annually on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary.
The pledge — the 'Ekta Shapath' — committed citizens to uphold the unity, integrity, and security of India.
The Statue of Unity , inaugurated in 2018 , serves as the national focal point for this annual observance.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was instituted by the central government in 2014 to honour Sardar Patel's legacy of national integration.
At the foot of the world's tallest statue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi administered the 'Ekta Shapath' — the national unity pledge — to a large public gathering at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on 31 October 2026, as India marked Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat shared the moment on X, noting that the Prime Minister administered the pledge to the assembled crowd and, through them, to citizens across the country — a vow to uphold the unity, integrity, and security of the nation. 'રાષ્ટ્રની એકતા, અખંડિતતા અને સુરક્ષા જાળવવા' — to preserve the unity, integrity, and security of the nation — was the spirit of the oath.
Why Ekta Nagar Is the Chosen Stage Every Year
The setting is deliberate and symbolic. The Statue of Unity, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on 31 October 2018, stands 182 metres tall on the banks of the Narmada river in Narmada district, Gujarat — a tribute to Sardar Patel, the 'Iron Man' who unified 562 princely states into the Indian republic after independence. Holding the national unity pledge ceremony in its shadow turns the anniversary into something more than a calendar event. It is a recurring act of state-making.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: From 2014 Institution to Annual Ritual
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was instituted by the central government in 2014, the same year the current government took office, to formally commemorate Patel's birth anniversary on 31 October each year. The pledge-taking ceremony — held simultaneously across government offices, schools, and public spaces nationwide — has since become the centrepiece of the observance. The Ekta Nagar event functions as the national focal point, with the Prime Minister's participation lending it the weight of a state occasion.
The ceremony is a reminder that national unity, in the Indian political imagination, is not taken for granted — it is actively renewed, year after year, in the shadow of the man who made it possible.
Point of View
Visually dominant landmark that the government itself built. The pledge format — simultaneous, nationwide, administered by the Prime Minister in person — mirrors the logic of mass civic mobilisation, extending the ceremony's reach well beyond the gathering in Gujarat. Over more than a decade, this event has shifted from a new institution to an entrenched state ritual, making it increasingly difficult for any future government to discontinue without political cost.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and when is it observed?
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed every year on 31 October to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It was instituted by the central government in 2014 to promote national integration.
What is the Ekta Shapath administered on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas?
The Ekta Shapath is a national unity pledge in which citizens commit to preserving the unity, integrity, and security of India. It is administered simultaneously across the country, with the Prime Minister leading the ceremony at Ekta Nagar.
Where is the Statue of Unity located?
The Statue of Unity is located in Ekta Nagar , Narmada district, Gujarat. Standing 182 metres tall, it is the world's tallest statue and is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
When was the Statue of Unity inaugurated?
The Statue of Unity was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018 , on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.
Why is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel remembered on National Unity Day?
Sardar Patel is credited with unifying 562 princely states into the Indian republic after independence, earning him the title 'Iron Man of India.' Rashtriya Ekta Diwas honours his legacy of national integration.
