In an indirect reference to the Taliban-linked developments in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasised that empires built by terror don’t last long. He said destructive forces and people who follow the ideology of creating empires through terror can dominate for some time, but their existence is not permanent as they cannot suppress humanity forever.
“This temple was demolished numerous times over several centuries. Idols of deities were also desecrated. Attempts were made to erase its existence. But it came up again in its full glory every time it was demolished,” Modi said.
“The thought of trying to build a nation with terrorism might scare humanity for some time but it won’t be able to pressurise it for too long. This lesson is equally important today as it was a few years ago when terrorists were trying to destroy Somnath Temple,” said Modi.
He was inaugurating multiple projects in Gujarat’s Somnath via video conferencing.
“The destructive forces, and the ideologies that want to build their empires through terrorism, may dominate for a short period of time. But their existence can never sustain. They can’t suppress the humanity for long,” said the Prime Minister.
The projects included Somnath Promenade, Somnath Exhibition Centre and the reconstructed temple precinct of the Old (Juna) Somnath.
He recalled the first President of the country, Rajendra Prasad, saying the full glory of Somnath temple will flower when India itself will become rich and prosperous.
Modi said the current development will not only help in employment but it will also help the youth to connect with the history and traditions of our culture and encourage religious tourism.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Somnath Temple trustees and other officials virtually participated in the inauguration event.
According to a statement by the PMO, the Somnath Promenade has been developed under the PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Scheme at a cost of over Rs 47 crore. The Somnath Exhibition Centre, developed in the premises of ‘Tourist Facilitation Centre’, displays the exhibits from dismantled parts of the old Somnath temple and its sculptures having Nagar style temple architecture of old Somnath.
The reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath has been completed by Shree Somnath Trust with a total outlay of Rs 3.5 crore.
This temple is also referred to as Ahilyabai Temple since it was built by Queen Ahilyabai of Indore when she found that the old temple was in ruins. The entire old temple complex has been holistically redeveloped for the safety of pilgrims and with augmented capacity.