Article 370 and Article 35A were gateways to militancy : Amit Shah

Shah said the abrogation of 370 and 35 A was the fulfillment of the vision of the iron man of India Sardar Patel who united the country post independecne when it was a collection of various princely states.

''Article 370 was the gateway of terrorism in India. For 70 years no one could touch them. It was under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the task of merging Jammu and Kashmir with India was completed,'' Shah said
after flagging off the  Run for Unity at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to mark the birth anniversary of the first Home Minister of India Sardar Patel which has been declared as the National Unity Day. 

At the function Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Civil Aviation (I/C) and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Hardeep Singh Puri and Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (I/C) Kiren Rijiju were present.

Expounding on the history of India's unification, The Home Minister pointed out that at the time of Independence, India was divided into several principalities by the British and the existence of a unified India was a challenge.

''It was Sardar Patel's tireless perseverance, in spite of challenges, that led to the unification of India," he said.

Shah asserted that Run for Unity is a way for the people of India to reaffirm their commitment to a united and strong India and a fitting tribute to Sardar Patel.

He also administered the pledge of unity to the people on the 144th birth anniversary of the first Deputy Prime Minister.

Shah also remembered the first female Prime Minister of the nation Indira Gandhi on her 35th death anniversary on Thursday.

The Home Minister handed over the flag to pugilist Mary Kom after flaging off the run.

"Flagged off #RunForUnity from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi," he wrote on his twitter handle.

Minister of State for Home Kishan Reddy, HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal,  and other dignitaries were also present while a large number of people from different walks of life gathered here early in the morning for the run braving the bad air quality.

The run began from the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium and ended at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Earlier, the Union Home Minister paid floral tributes on Sardar Patel's statue at Patel Chowk.

"Paid floral tributes to Bharat Ratna Iron Man Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel on his birth anniversary," he tweeted.