Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a statement on Sunday about the forces that opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath temple in Gujarat post-independence and pointed out that they are still very much active and that India should be on its toes, standing together and being strong to such a force.
The occasion for the Prime Minister’s speech at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv in Somnath was the marking of 1,000 years since the invasion of the temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026. He said the history of Somnath is not one of destruction or defeat but of victory, renewal, and resilience.
“The cycle of time has shown that fundamentalist invaders have been reduced to the pages of history, while the Somnath temple continues to stand tall,” Mr. Modi said, characterizing the shrine as a powerful symbol of faith, national pride, and civilizational courage.
The Prime Minister, narrating the post-independence period, stated that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took a vow to rebuild the Somnath temple and his efforts met with resistance. He accused the forces that are appeasement-driven and extremist-minded of trying to block reconstructions and warned that such forces are still present today.
“We were taught a distorted version of history, where hatred, atrocities, and terror were hidden, and the attack on Somnath was portrayed merely as an attempt to loot,” Mr. Modi said. He proceeded to say that the nation has to continue being vigilant and united so that such forces do not weaken India’s resolve.
The Prime Minister invoked the temple and the nation’s journey, and he said Somnath’s story is India’s own history. “Foreign invaders never stopped trying to destroy India; they did the same with Somnath. They thought they were the victors, but after a thousand years, the flag of Somnath still flies high,” he said.
Mr. Modi referred to the struggle of centuries linked with Somnath as an event without equal in the world history, bringing to light the unyielding spirit that prevailed in the temple’s restoration through a series of attempts to wipe it out.
