PM Modi criticises post-Independence ‘colonial mindset’ over Somnath history

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reflected on the enduring legacy of the Somnath Temple, noting that after independence, attempts were made to downplay India’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Referring to the history of the Somnath Temple, he said the sacrifices of those who defended the shrine were ignored, while invasions driven by religious intolerance were portrayed merely as acts of plunder. 

PM Modi argued that textbooks and historical accounts failed to acknowledge the brutality, hatred and terror associated with these attacks, instead downplaying them as loot-driven events, thereby concealing the true suffering endured by devotees and communities over centuries.

“Unfortunately, after independence, people with a colonial mindset tried to erase our glorious past. Those who fought for the Somnath Temple were not given their due recognition and importance,” he said.

Tribute to Ancestral Valour

Addressing devotees after the Shaurya Yatra, PM Modi paid homage to the ancestors who risked their lives for their faith, saying, “A thousand years ago, attackers might have thought they had won, but even today, the flag atop Somnath Mahadev Temple proclaims India’s strength, power, and resilience.” Highlighting the ongoing festivities, he described the spectacle of 1,000 Vedic students showcased via 1,000 drones, continuous 72-hour chanting of mantras, and a heroic procession featuring 108 horses, calling the celebration “extraordinary and divine.”

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Somnath: A Symbol of Civilisational Pride

The temple, repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt over centuries, has remained a living symbol of India’s identity and faith. PM Modi recalled Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s visit to the ruins on Diwali, 1947, and the public-backed reconstruction completed in 1951, with President Rajendra Prasad presiding over the consecration.

Today, the Somnath Temple, the first among the 12 Aadi Jyotirlingas, stands majestically along the Arabian Sea with its 150-foot shikhar, marking 75 years since its modern restoration. PM Modi emphasised that the temple’s legacy continues to inspire national pride and devotion, celebrating India’s enduring cultural and spiritual heritage.