Speaking at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv in Gujarat, PM Narendra Modi alleged that deliberate efforts were made after Independence to downplay the history and significance of the Somnath Temple, despite its repeated reconstruction.
BY PC Bureau
January 26, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on past regimes, alleging that there were sustained and “despicable attempts” after Independence to erase or dilute the history of the Somnath Temple, a shrine he described as a powerful symbol of India’s civilisational resilience, faith and cultural continuity. He said a “slave mentality” had guided these efforts, preventing generations of Indians from fully understanding the temple’s true historical and national significance.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the Shri Somnath Temple in Gujarat during the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, an event commemorating 1,000 years since repeated foreign attacks on the historic shrine. Calling the occasion deeply emotional and symbolic, PM Modi said Somnath represents not just a place of worship but the unbroken spirit of India that refused to bow despite centuries of destruction and rebuilding.
Addressing a large gathering at the temple complex, PM Modi alleged that deliberate attempts were made to erase the contributions of India’s heroes and distort historical narratives. “People were taught that Somnath was destroyed only for loot. The real history — the intent behind the attacks and the courage of those who resisted — was hidden from generations,” he said.
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Without naming the Congress directly at every instance, PM Modi accused previous governments of pursuing appeasement politics that ignored or undermined India’s cultural roots. He said this mindset weakened awareness of the country’s historical strength and disconnected people from their heritage. According to him, such thinking discouraged pride in India’s past and sought to portray symbols like Somnath as inconvenient reminders of resistance and revival.
The Prime Minister recalled that even after Independence, there was opposition to rebuilding the temple. He said Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel faced resistance when he resolved to reconstruct Somnath as a matter of national honour. PM Modi also pointed out that objections were raised in 1951 when India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, chose to visit the temple for its consecration.
“Invaders thought they had broken Bharat centuries ago.”
“Yet the flag atop Somnath still rises high, defying history’s wounds and declaring India’s unbroken spirit” – PM Shri Modi
Civilisations rooted in faith and resilience don’t fall; they endure. 🚩 @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/KVcVzyOR3z
— Pamela Goswami (@pamelagoswami9) January 11, 2026
“When India broke free from the chains of slavery and Sardar Patel took a vow to rebuild Somnath, attempts were made to stop him. Even Dr Rajendra Prasad’s visit here was opposed,” PM Modi said, adding that these actions reflected an unwillingness to acknowledge the temple’s national and spiritual importance.
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Reflecting on the long and turbulent history of Somnath, PM Modi said he often wonders about the atmosphere at the shrine centuries ago, when ordinary men and women risked their lives to protect their faith and heritage. He said the sacrifices made by ancestors should never be forgotten or minimised.
The Prime Minister stressed that the history of Somnath is not merely a chronicle of destruction, but a saga of courage, sacrifice, determination and repeated rebirth. “Somnath is a symbol of resilience, victory and renewal. It proves that India’s spirit can never be broken,” he said.
PM Modi concluded by saying that remembering and reclaiming such histories is essential for building a confident and self-assured nation, rooted in truth and pride rather than colonial-era narratives.
