• Source:JND

Somnath Swabhiman Parv: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday shared his memories of Somnath mandir, highlighting the significance of the Hindu temple. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Somnath on January 11 to attend the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebration. He said that despite repeated attacks on the temple, it has strengthened the spirit of cultural unity in the country. The Somnath Swabhiman Parv will be celebrated till January 11. During this period, several programs highlighting India's spiritual heritage, cultural pride, and social values will be organised.

Somnath Temple Was First Attacked In January 1026: PM Modi

In a post on 'X', the Prime Minister shared his old pictures from his previous visits, saying, "Jai Somnath! The Somnath Swabhiman Parv is commencing auspiciously from today. A thousand years ago, in January 1026, the Somnath Temple endured the first attack in its history. The attack of the year 1026 and the numerous assaults that followed thereafter could not shake our eternal faith."

PM Modi further said the Somnath Swabhiman Parv is a festival to remember those countless sons of Mother India who never compromised on their principles and values.

No matter how difficult and terrifying the times may have been, their resolve always remained unwavering, he asserted, saying that their loyalty to our civilisation and cultural consciousness remained unbroken.

"This occasion of a thousand years of unbroken faith inspires us to remain constantly committed to efforts for the unity of the nation. I am also sharing with you some glimpses of a program organised in Somnath on October 31, 2001. That was the year when we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the Somnath Temple, which was reconstructed in 1951. In 1951, that historic ceremony was held in the presence of the then President Dr Rajendra Prasad Ji. The efforts of great personalities including Sardar Patel and KM Munshi Ji in the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple were extremely commendable. In this program of the year 2001, the then Prime Minister Atal Ji and Home Minister Advani Ji and many dignitaries had participated. In the year 2026, we are also commemorating the 75th anniversary of the grand ceremony that took place in 1951!" PM Modi's note on X read.

A Confluence Of Two Chapters: 1000 Years And 75 Years

The year 2026 is extremely significant in the history of the Somnath Temple for two major reasons. It marks exactly 1000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the Somnath Temple in 1026. On the other hand, May 11, 2026, will also mark 75 years since the inauguration of the reconstructed Somnath temple in independent India. The Gujarat and Central governments are presenting this occasion not merely as a religious event, but as a celebration of India's civilizational memory.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's Connection

As soon as the Somnath Swabhiman Parv was announced, Jawaharlal Nehru's name emerged in discussions. The BJP launched a direct attack on the Congress, citing letters written by Nehru. The BJP claimed that Nehru had called the reconstruction and inauguration ceremony of the Somnath temple a mere spectacle and considered it harmful to India's global image. The BJP cited a letter written by Nehru to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, RR Diwakar, on April 28, 1951.

'Lies, Half-truths': Congress Slams BJP Criticism Of Nehru

On the other side, the Congress slammed the BJP for accusing the first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru of indulging in appeasement politics over the Somnath temple issue, saying the ruling party was resorting to "lies and half-truths" by selectively quoting from Nehru's letters.

Congress leader Piyush Babele said that when the BJP is raising the issue of then-President Rajendra Prasad's participation in the rebuilt Somnath temple inauguration, it must answer why President Droupadi Murmu was not invited to attend the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
(With Jagran.com inputs)


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