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dated April 10, 1956: Nehru's stress on unity

Prime Minister Nehru, who arrived in Gokak on April 8 on a four-day tour of Karnataka, reaffirmed that India was one nation and there could be no separatist tendency based on language or religion. He said India was a peace-loving country and her only war was against poverty, unemployment and illiteracy. "Everyone fought for independence unitedly under the leadership of Gandhiji and it is now the duty of all to fight for our economic salvation. The nation has to progress quickly and it could do so only by united effort." The Prime Minister arrived in Gokak after an 80-minute drive through rugged mountainous region. Villagers lined up along the route to Gokak, which is 40 miles from Belgaum, and cheered Mr. Nehru. Speaking to more than 10,000 people who had waited in the open maidan at Gokak for hours under the midday sun, the Prime Minister said he had come to Karnataka after a long time and he was happy to time his visit on the eve of the formation of Karnataka State. "I appeal to you not to overlook the national unity of India in the immediate joy of having your own State. Whatever be the set-up after the reorganisation of States, India is one and everyone of you belongs to Mother India. There can be no separatist tendency based on language or religion. That has been the cause of the downfall of Indians in the past and it had contributed to our weakness. The progress of India in the last five or six years was no mean achievement and every nation looks at India with respect."

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