Historians & politicians tried to whitewash history of attacks on Somnath temple: PM Modi

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday after offering prayers and taking out "Shaurya Yatra" at Somnath temple said that the historians and politicians tried to "whitewash" the history of attacks on this temple by describing them as mere "ordinary plunder." 

He said that forces who opposed its reconstruction after independence are still against it and India needs to remain alert to defeat them. The prime minister was speaking at "Somnath Swabhiman Parv" held to mark 1000 years of attack on Somnath temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026.

On his three-day home state visit, Modi had landed on Saturday evening at Rajkot and offered prayers at Somnath temple in Gir-Somnath district. On Sunday morning, after prayers the prime minister took out a mega road show called "Shaurya Yatra" and later addressed a public gathering. 

While addressing the public, Modi described "Somnath Swabhiman Parv" as a "celebration of self-respect and a festival of historical glory" while stating it was the occasion "to strengthen our existence and identity."

Saying that Somnath temple has "ancient places" like Somnath temple symbols of "strength, resistance, and tradition", the prime minister said, "Unfortunately, after independence, those with a mindset of slavery tried to distance themselves from such historic places. There were malicious efforts to erase that history."

Modi said that "the heroes who protected the temple" were not given importance in the history and "historians and politicians attempted to whitewash the history of attacks...( on the temple)." "Books were written to cover up the religious fanaticism mindset by labeling it (attacks) as mere plunder," the prime minister said. 

"The history of Somnath is not that of destruction and defeat but of victory and renewal. This is the cycle of time that fundamentalist invaders are now reduced to pages of history, but the Somnath temple still stands tall," Modi said.

The prime minister also claimed that "unfortunately, even today those forces are still active which had opposed the reconstruction of the temple.   

"Today, instead of swords, other malicious methods are being used to conspire against the country. And that’s why we must be vigilant and empower ourselves. We must stay united, and defeat every force that is plotting to divide us," the PM said.