One and a half years later, however, Patel reversed his ban on the RSS. There was, however, a condition: the RSS would stay away from politics. Within a year, RSS would break the promise as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, with help from MS Golwalkar formed the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. ( The Jana Sangh, as it was also called, merged with a number of parties in opposition to the Congress in 1977 to form the Janata Party. In 1980, the party split further and reunited into the Bharatiya Janata Party).

Given the deep mistrust Patel had towards the RSS and its eventual political offshoot, the BJP, it is curious how the latter has co-opted Patel as its icon. But then this is the brand of politics that the BJP represents. As long as it serves the party’s purpose, they are more than willing to conveniently turn a blind eye to these rather uncomfortable historical facts.

So, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the gargantuan statue of Sardar Patel, built facing the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada, it could not be more apparent that the only way the BJP has managed to undermine the Gandhi-Nehru legacy is in terms of the height of the statue.

One and a half years later, however, Patel reversed his ban on the RSS. There was, however, a condition: the RSS would stay away from politics. Within a year, RSS would break the promise as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, with help from MS Golwalkar formed the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. ( The Jana Sangh, as it was also called, merged with a number of parties in opposition to the Congress in 1977 to form the Janata Party. In 1980, the party split further and reunited into the Bharatiya Janata Party).

Given the deep mistrust Patel had towards the RSS and its eventual political offshoot, the BJP, it is curious how the latter has co-opted Patel as its icon. But then this is the brand of politics that the BJP represents. As long as it serves the party’s purpose, they are more than willing to conveniently turn a blind eye to these rather uncomfortable historical facts.

So, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the gargantuan statue of Sardar Patel, built facing the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada, it could not be more apparent that the only way the BJP has managed to undermine the Gandhi-Nehru legacy is in terms of the height of the statue.

One and a half years later, however, Patel reversed his ban on the RSS. There was, however, a condition: the RSS would stay away from politics. Within a year, RSS would break the promise as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, with help from MS Golwalkar formed the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. ( The Jana Sangh, as it was also called, merged with a number of parties in opposition to the Congress in 1977 to form the Janata Party. In 1980, the party split further and reunited into the Bharatiya Janata Party).

Given the deep mistrust Patel had towards the RSS and its eventual political offshoot, the BJP, it is curious how the latter has co-opted Patel as its icon. But then this is the brand of politics that the BJP represents. As long as it serves the party’s purpose, they are more than willing to conveniently turn a blind eye to these rather uncomfortable historical facts.

So, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the gargantuan statue of Sardar Patel, built facing the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada, it could not be more apparent that the only way the BJP has managed to undermine the Gandhi-Nehru legacy is in terms of the height of the statue.

He first caught our attention as college student Joy Lobo in 3 Idiots. Since then, Ali Fazal has carved a unique place for himself, straddling Bolly films with big Holly fare — blockbuster franchise Furious 7 to Victoria & Abdul, co-starring Judi Dench.

Last week, Ali, 32, was in Calcutta to shoot director Pradeep Sarkar’s Arranged Marriage, even as the trailer of Mirzapur, his guns and goons web series on Amazon Prime, has opened to positive feedback.

Over coffee at The Oberoi Grand, t2 caught up with the actor for a chat on why he likes to be “unslottable” and what makes his relationship with actress Richa Chadha tick.

He first caught our attention as college student Joy Lobo in 3 Idiots. Since then, Ali Fazal has carved a unique place for himself, straddling Bolly films with big Holly fare — blockbuster franchise Furious 7 to Victoria & Abdul, co-starring Judi Dench.

Last week, Ali, 32, was in Calcutta to shoot director Pradeep Sarkar’s Arranged Marriage, even as the trailer of Mirzapur, his guns and goons web series on Amazon Prime, has opened to positive feedback.

Over coffee at The Oberoi Grand, t2 caught up with the actor for a chat on why he likes to be “unslottable” and what makes his relationship with actress Richa Chadha tick.

He first caught our attention as college student Joy Lobo in 3 Idiots. Since then, Ali Fazal has carved a unique place for himself, straddling Bolly films with big Holly fare — blockbuster franchise Furious 7 to Victoria & Abdul, co-starring Judi Dench.

Last week, Ali, 32, was in Calcutta to shoot director Pradeep Sarkar’s Arranged Marriage, even as the trailer of Mirzapur, his guns and goons web series on Amazon Prime, has opened to positive feedback.

Over coffee at The Oberoi Grand, t2 caught up with the actor for a chat on why he likes to be “unslottable” and what makes his relationship with actress Richa Chadha tick.

He first caught our attention as college student Joy Lobo in 3 Idiots. Since then, Ali Fazal has carved a unique place for himself, straddling Bolly films with big Holly fare — blockbuster franchise Furious 7 to Victoria & Abdul, co-starring Judi Dench.

Last week, Ali, 32, was in Calcutta to shoot director Pradeep Sarkar’s Arranged Marriage, even as the trailer of Mirzapur, his guns and goons web series on Amazon Prime, has opened to positive feedback.

Over coffee at The Oberoi Grand, t2 caught up with the actor for a chat on why he likes to be “unslottable” and what makes his relationship with actress Richa Chadha tick.

In the middle of all the madness, Richa (Chadha) keeps me calm. I look up to her and respect her. I am a bit of a fanboy. Time is an issue, Richa and I get very little time with each other. I want to change that Agencies

In the middle of all the madness, Richa (Chadha) keeps me calm. I look up to her and respect her. I am a bit of a fanboy. Time is an issue, Richa and I get very little time with each other. I want to change that Agencies

In the middle of all the madness, Richa (Chadha) keeps me calm. I look up to her and respect her. I am a bit of a fanboy. Time is an issue, Richa and I get very little time with each other. I want to change that Agencies