Coming down hard on those who opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath temple after Independence, Prime Minister Narendra has warned that individuals with a “slavish mentality” still exist.
Urging vigilance, PM Modi said that India must remain united to confront forces that aim to divide the nation.
The Prime Minister was addressing the concluding day of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, commemorating 1,000 years since the temple’s destruction by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 and 75 years since its reconstruction in 1951.
He highlighted the temple’s enduring legacy.
According to reports, he noted that while religious fanatics of the past have faded into history, the Somnath temple continues to stand with its flag still flying.
The Prime Minister remarked that while many countries showcase heritage that is around a century old, India has monuments like Somnath that are over a millennium old. He said those with a slavish mindset after Independence attempted to erase this history, sidelining defenders of the temple, including Raval Kanhad, Veer Hamirji Gohil, and Vegada Bhil.
Further, he observed that some historians and politicians tried to downplay the repeated attacks on Somnath, portraying them as ordinary loot. He stressed that the assaults were persistent, aimed at changing the temple’s character, and that the history of hate and terror had often been concealed.
He also recalled that during the rebuilding of Somnath after Independence, there were efforts to stop Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s initiative. Objections were even raised when President Rajendra Prasad planned to visit in 1951. PM Modi noted that the Jam Saheb, Maharaja Digvijaysinhji, stepped in, prioritising national pride and donating Rs 1 lakh, while taking responsibility as the trust president.
Recalling his speech at the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya, PM Modi said there are still voices opposing Somnath’s reconstruction. He emphasized that while earlier opposition used swords, today it takes different forms, and the nation must strengthen itself to resist such forces. He added that protecting India’s heritage strengthens its roots and provides inspiration for the future, citing his vision of a “Viksit Bharat” and the goal of becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
Early in his address, PM Modi clarified that the event was meant to honor the resilience of Indian culture, not the destruction of the temple.
He outlined the repeated attacks on Somnath and the temple’s reconstruction over the centuries. The Prime Minister said efforts to destroy Somnath were akin to attacks on India itself, but neither the temple nor the nation was defeated.
PM Modi explained that invaders, from Ghazni to Aurangzeb, believed they had conquered Somnath with their swords. He said these religious fanatics failed to understand that the temple’s essence, meaning “amrit” or nectar, remains eternal even when threatened.
The Prime Minister also touched upon conservation efforts for lions and infrastructure development around Somnath. He highlighted new airports at Keshod and Rajkot, the Ahmedabad-Veraval Vande Bharat train, and projects under the Yatra Dham development initiative.
Also Read: Somnath temple is now open for devotees https://www.vibesofindia.com/believed-to-be-the-first-jyortirlings-somnath-temple-open-for-devotees/
