Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticised what he termed ‘appeasement politics’ while addressing the ‘Somnath Amrut Mahotsav’ celebrations in Gujarat, alleging that India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple after Independence.
Addressing a large public gathering after participating in religious ceremonies at the temple, PM Modi described the reconstruction of Somnath as a symbol of India’s ‘independent civilisational consciousness.’
“The re-establishment of the Somnath temple 75 years ago on this very day was no ordinary occasion. If India became independent in 1947, then the consecration of Somnath in 1951 proclaimed India’s independent civilisational consciousness,” he said.
The Prime Minister praised Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for supporting efforts to reconstruct the temple after Independence. He also commended India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, for backing the initiative.
“At the time of Independence, Sardar Patel united more than 500 princely states to shape a modern India, and through the reconstruction of Somnath, he told the world that India had not merely become free. India had also begun its journey to reclaim its ancient glory,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi further claimed that Patel and Rajendra Prasad faced opposition during the process.
“After Independence, one of the first responsibilities was to restore the Somnath temple, and therefore Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Rajendra Prasad made immense efforts for it. But we all know how much opposition they faced from Nehru Ji,” he said.
PM Modi also connected the issue to contemporary political debates. He said, ‘such forces still exist in the country today for whom appeasement matters more than national self-respect’.
Referring to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Prime Minister said people had also opposed its construction. He urged citizens to move beyond ‘narrow politics’.
PM Modi also called for balancing development with heritage preservation.
The celebrations marked 75 years since India inaugurated the reconstructed Somnath Temple in 1951.
Also Read: PM Modi Recalls Pokhran Tests, Says India Refused To Bow To Global Pressure
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
