Veraval, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the forces that once opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath temple continue to operate today, now using “other malicious means” instead of swords. He emphasized that the repeated attacks on the temple over centuries cannot simply be explained as acts of economic plunder.
Speaking at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv in Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, marking 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion of the temple in 1026, Modi said, “If the attacks on Somnath were only for loot, they would have stopped after the first major plunder. But the temple was attacked repeatedly, its idols broken, and its form altered again and again.”
The Prime Minister criticized attempts by some historians and political figures post-Independence to downplay these invasions as routine plunder, arguing that such narratives weakened collective memory and disconnected later generations from the sacrifices made to protect centers of faith. “Unfortunately, even today, forces remain active in the country that opposed Somnath’s reconstruction,” he added.
Modi described Somnath Swabhiman Parv as a celebration of continuity rather than destruction, marking a thousand-year journey of resilience, faith, and India’s pride. Tracing the temple’s history, he noted, “The history of Somnath is not one of defeat, but of victory and reconstruction… Invaders kept coming, but Somnath was re-established in every era.”
Highlighting post-Independence efforts to restore the temple, Modi recalled that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s pledge faced resistance, including objections to President Rajendra Prasad attending the inauguration in 1951. He credited Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji of Nawanagar, the then ruler of Saurashtra, for supporting the project, contributing funds, and serving as the first chairman of the Somnath Temple Trust.
The reconstruction, completed in 1951, was described as an assertion of national self-respect. Modi said that the temple’s 75th restoration anniversary in 2026 added further significance to the celebrations.
The Prime Minister also highlighted modern developments in the region, including the establishment of Somnath Sanskrit University, expansion of Keshod airport, the launch of the Ahmedabad–Veraval Vande Bharat train, and the creation of a pilgrimage circuit, stating, “Today’s India remembers its faith while empowering it for the future through infrastructure, connectivity and technology.”
Connecting cultural confidence with economic ambition, Modi said India is preparing to become the world’s third-largest economy, adding, “Every Indian is committed to a developed India, and 140 crore people are determined towards future goals. Heritage sites like Somnath provide moral energy for these aspirations.”
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries were present at the event, which also included the Shaurya Sabha, where participants displayed placards highlighting Somnath’s history and messages linked to national development goals, including “Viksit Bharat@2047.”