Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: During the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav on May 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who, he said, made significant efforts for the restoration of the Somnath Temple following Independence. He reaffirmed the commitment to fulfil Sardar Patel’s vision for India. In a post on X, PM Modi said, “At Somnath, paid heartfelt tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose vision and resolve played a defining role in the temple’s reconstruction. He dreamt of seeing Somnath rise again in all its glory, as a symbol of India’s civilisational pride and spiritual continuity.”
“We will always remain committed to fulfilling his vision for our nation,” he added. Earlier in the day, PM Modi participated in Vishesh Maha Puja, the historic Kumbhabhishek and Dhwajarohan ceremonies at the temple.
The ‘Somnath Amrut Mahotsav’ commemorated 75 years since the restored Somnath Temple was inaugurated by India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, in 1951, following reconstruction efforts led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. During this, he also released a commemorative stamp and coin, commemorating the legacy of the sacred shrine.
Later, addressing a large public gathering after participating in the religious ceremonies, PM Modi criticised the “appeasement politics” during his address at the ‘Somnath Amrut Mahotsav’ in Gujarat, saying that India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple after Independence.
He said the reconstruction of the temple symbolised India’s “independent civilisational consciousness” following Independence.
“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.
