Invader can destroy temple but not faith: UP CM Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday asserted that an invader can destroy a temple but cannot destroy faith. He said that while invaders could erect structures over temples, they could never touch the Shri Ram and Shri Krishna enshrined in our hearts.
Speaking at a function held at the Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow on Janmashtami, Adityanath said, “We have been performing Govardhan Puja and circumambulation for the past 5,000 years, with devotees arriving in the hundreds of thousands.”
He said this demonstrates that an “invader can destroy a temple but cannot destroy faith” and an “invader can break the idols but not values”. He said, “They can erect their own structures over temples, yet they could never even touch the Shri Ram and Shri Krishna enshrined in our hearts.”
The chief minister said the Somnath temple was destroyed repeatedly, yet India rebuilt it time and again. The Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was destroyed repeatedly, yet today it stands tall with its invincible flag (‘ajeya pataakaa’) flying high.
He said the temple of Lord Vishwanath in Kashi was destroyed repeatedly, yet Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar and in the modern era, Prime Minister Narendra Modi have restored it to its magnificent form. “This shows that those who attempted to wipe us out, those who tried to destroy our faith, have themselves vanished into the pages of history.
There is no one left to ask about them. Our ‘Bharat’ (India) remains alive and awakened to this day,” Adityanath said. Emphasising the importance of positive competition in every sphere, he said. Those who tried to obliterate India’s feelings (‘bhaav bhangima’) have vanished from history. Bharat (India) continues its invincible journey even today.” The chief minister said, “We must bear in mind that as long as we move along the path of duty with the spirit of selfless action, the nation’s victorious journey will continue. This is not merely the task of a Government; 140 crore Indians must undertake this journey together.”
Adityanath said Shri Krishna’s message is meant for all. “Recognise your true self in the arena of action and strive to perform the highest form of duty. Whenever one faces confusion or doubt in life, every follower of the Sanatan tradition and every Indian turns to the message of Shri Krishna — mentioned in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita -- to find the inspiration to act despite such uncertainty.
