‘Invaders disappeared, Somnath still standing tall’: Amit Shah says Sanatan Dharma is immortal like sun

Shah also said that a grand Somnath corridor is being developed there under the leadership of PM Modi. (Image: Amit Shah/X)

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah Tuesday said that it is not easy to wipe out Sanatan Dharma, Indian culture and the faith of Indians and that they are as immortal and steady as the sun and the moon.

Addressing a public meeting in his hometown of Mansa in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district, Shah referred to the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, launched recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Somnath temple in the Gir Somnath district. Somnath Swabhiman Parv marks 1,000 years since the first major invasion of the temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026, and 75 years since its renovation.

During his speech, Shah said, “A 1,000 years ago, this magnificent temple of Somnath was demolished by Mahmud of Ghazni. Afterwards, it was repeatedly destroyed by people such as Alauddin Khalji, Ahmed Shah, Mahmud Begada, and Aurangzeb. And we kept rebuilding it. Those demolishing it had confidence in demolition, and those rebuilding had confidence in rebuilding.”

“And take a look after 1,000 years. Those who demolished it have disappeared, and the temple of Somnath is standing tall on the shores of the sea. This temple was renovated by the resolve of stalwarts like Sardar Patel, K M Munshi, Jam Saheb and our first President, Rajendra Prasad.”

“And what was the reason behind that resolve? The attack on the Somnath temple was not an attack on a temple. It was an attack on our confidence, our faith and our self-respect. And its reply cannot be in the form of an attack. Its reply can take the form of firm protection of self-respect. Today, even after being demolished 16 times, Somnath temple is still there with a saffron flag touching the sky,” he added.

At the function, Shah inaugurated or laid the foundation stones for developmental projects, including a sports complex worth around Rs 267 crore.

Mansa is part of the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Shah. On the occasion, Shah also spoke about various development projects completed in the region over the past few years.