Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful speech on January 11 in Somnath, Gujarat, condemning those with a “slave mentality” who resisted the restoration of the Somnath Temple in 1951. He accused such forces of using “evil means” against India and highlighted attempts to “whitewash” historical events related to religious attacks for political gain.
Speaking to a large audience at Sadbhavna Maidan, Modi emphasized that places like Somnath symbolize India’s strength and resilience, stating that after Independence, some individuals tried to distance themselves from these rich historical sites and erase their significance.
He paid tribute to those who sacrificed for the temple’s protection, lamenting that their contributions were overlooked. “Sadly, the sacrifices made for Somnath were minimized, and certain politicians attempted to downplay religiously motivated attacks, labeling them as mere plundering for political favor. Somnath was not just looted once; it faced multiple assaults over the years,” he noted.
Modi argued that if the attacks had been purely economic, they would have ceased after the first major incident a thousand years ago. He pointed out that the true history of animosity and cruelty had been concealed. He insisted that genuine followers of their faith would never endorse extremism but acknowledged that some still opposed the shrine’s restoration due to their political agendas.
He recalled that even during India’s Independence, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel aimed to restore the temple, he faced opposition. Modi referenced Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s visit in 1951, noting it was also met with resistance. “At that time, Maharaja Digvijaysinhji generously donated Rs. one lakh for the temple’s restoration,” he added.
The Prime Minister referred to the reluctance of the then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to support the temple’s reconstruction, as he did not want key constitutional figures involved. Nevertheless, Patel, K.M. Munshi, who spearheaded the restoration efforts, and President Prasad were staunch supporters. Ultimately, the temple was restored through public donations rather than government funds.
Modi asserted that those opposing the temple’s restoration still exist in India, employing various “evil means” against the nation today. “We need to remain vigilant, strengthen our unity, and confront those forces trying to create divisions among us,” he urged.
He also shared his vision during the “Pran Pratishtha” of the Ram Temple, encouraging a collective aspiration for a thousand years of progress for India. Modi affirmed that the nation is advancing with pride in its heritage, noting the ongoing cultural development of the Somnath temple, the establishment of Somnath Cultural University, and the vibrancy of the Madopur fair.
“We must make our millennia-old heritage known throughout the country and present it to the world. Let’s celebrate this new 75-year festival and continue until 2027, awakening every citizen so that our enlightened nation can realize its dreams,” he concluded.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/01/11/some-tried-to-whitewash-religiously-motivated-attacks-for-appeasement-politics-says-pm-modi/
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Publish Date: 2026-01-11 17:30:00
