By Forces That Opposed Somnath Temple Reconstruction Still Active, Says PM Modi
Somnath (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (January 11, 2026) said that the forces which opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath temple after India’s Independence are still active, and stressed the need for the country to remain alert, united, and strong to defeat them.
Addressing the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, organised to mark 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion of the Somnath temple in 1026, the Prime Minister said the history of Somnath is not one of destruction or defeat, but of victory, resilience, and renewal.
“The Somnath temple stands as a living symbol of faith, self-respect, and national pride. Fundamentalist invaders have been reduced to pages of history, but Somnath still stands tall,” Modi said.
Recalling the repeated attempts to destroy the temple over centuries, the Prime Minister said Somnath’s survival and restoration reflect the collective will of the nation to reclaim its cultural and spiritual heritage.
Modi alleged that the true history of hatred, brutality, and terror associated with the attacks on the temple was concealed for decades. “We were taught that the attack on Somnath was merely an attempt to loot wealth, while the deeper truth of destruction and extremism was hidden,” he said.
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Referring to the post-Independence period, the Prime Minister said that when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel pledged to rebuild the Somnath temple, his efforts were actively obstructed. “Those who believed in appeasement bowed before extremist mindsets. The same forces that tried to block the reconstruction of Somnath are still present today,” Modi said.
He emphasised that India must stay vigilant and united to counter such forces. “We need to remain alert, united, and powerful to defeat those who oppose our cultural resurgence,” the Prime Minister said.
Drawing a broader parallel, Modi said Somnath’s story mirrors India’s civilisational journey. “Foreign invaders tried to destroy India many times, just as they tried to destroy this temple. They believed they had won, but after 1,000 years, the flag of Somnath is still flying high,” he said.
Calling the struggle surrounding the Somnath temple unparalleled, the Prime Minister said the thousand-year-long fight for faith and identity has no comparison in world history.
