PM Modi Warns of Forces Opposing Somnath Temple Reconstruction, Commemorates 1,000-Year Journey
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Somnath Swabhiman Parv in Gujarat, commemorating 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni's invasion of the Somnath temple in 1026. The event marked the culmination of a four-day celebration that aimed to honor the temple's resilience and India's cultural heritage. Speaking at the event, Modi emphasized that the forces that had opposed the reconstruction of Somnath temple are still active, albeit through different means. He highlighted that the repeated attacks on the temple over centuries cannot be attributed solely to economic motives, as the invasions continued despite initial plunder. Modi also criticized some historians and political figures for downplaying the significance of these invasions, which he believed weakened collective memory and disconnected later generations from the sacrifices made to protect centers of faith. The Prime Minister hailed the reconstruction of Somnath temple after India's Independence as an assertion of national self-respect, and credited Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji for his support in the project. He also showcased the government's initiatives in the Somnath region, including the establishment of Somnath Sanskrit University and the expansion of Keshod airport. Modi connected cultural confidence with economic ambition, stating that India is preparing to become the world's third-largest economy and that heritage sites like Somnath provide moral energy to these aspirations. The event was attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries, who displayed placards highlighting Somnath's history and messages linked to national goals.
