New Delhi: Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters on Monday, party national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi highlighted the economic progress of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the historic revival of the Somnath temple. He stated that the prosperity envisioned during the temple’s reconstruction is now gradually being fulfilled during the current government’s tenure.
The year 2026 marks 1000 years since the first major attack on the Somnath temple. This milestone is being commemorated as a symbol of the temple’s unwavering spirit and India’s cultural strength. Historically, the temple has withstood multiple attacks and has always been rebuilt.
Trivedi recalled the words of India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, who had said that the true fulfilment of Somnath’s reconstruction would be when its prosperity is restored to the level that once attracted invasions.
He added that under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance, India is rapidly moving towards that prosperity. The country’s emergence as the world’s fourth largest economy is a testament to this long-held aspiration.
Trivedi also noted that the temple was rebuilt in 1951 despite opposition from then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He pointed out that the reconstruction was carried out with the support of Dr Rajendra Prasad, who insisted on proceeding despite Nehru’s reservations.
“Today, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is advancing towards prosperity, and this dream is on the verge of being realised. The vision behind the reconstruction of the Somnath temple is turning into reality,” he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi, in a blog post, mentioned that after independence, the sacred responsibility of rebuilding the Somnath temple was entrusted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Patel’s visit to the temple site during Diwali in 1947 deeply moved him, leading to the decision to reconstruct the temple at its original location.
Modi wrote, “On 11 May 1951, the grand Somnath temple was opened to devotees in the presence of Dr Rajendra Prasad. Though Sardar Patel was no longer alive to witness it, his dream was fulfilled before the entire nation. At that time, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was not enthusiastic about this development and did not want the President or ministers to participate, fearing it might negatively impact India’s image. However, Dr Rajendra Prasad firmly decided otherwise, making history.”
Despite Nehru’s objections, leaders like Sardar Patel, K.M. Munshi, and President Rajendra Prasad strongly supported the temple’s reconstruction. The project was funded by public donations, with no government money used.
The Prime Minister also noted that 2026 marks 1000 years since the first attack on Somnath temple. He described the temple as an eternal declaration of the Indian spirit, standing tall despite hatred and extremism that may destroy for a moment but faith and resolve always rebuild.
Trivedi and the BJP view this occasion as a symbol of the nation’s cultural strength and economic progress. They emphasized that just as the Somnath temple was rebuilt repeatedly after destruction, India is also moving forward in development and prosperity despite challenges.