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With a Somanth temple and Nehru reference, PM Modi slams Opposition's 'appeasement' politics
Prime Minister Modi used the Somnath Amrit Mahotsav celebrations to attack the Opposition over what he called 'appeasement' politics. He invoked the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple and cited Nehru's alleged resistance, while crediting Patel and Rajendra Prasad for leading the temple restoration after independence.
Why It Matters
The remarks frame national self-respect as a political issue and link historical memory to contemporary partisan messaging, signaling how leaders contextualize history in current public discourse.
Timeline
2 Events
Modi's remarks at Somnath Amrit Mahotsav in Gir, Gujarat
May 11, 2026
Speaking at a gathering in Gir, Modi used the Somnath Amrit Mahotsav celebrations to attack the Opposition over what he called 'appeasement' politics. He invoked the temple's reconstruction as a historic example of national self-respect, credited Patel and Rajendra Prasad for driving the effort, and referred to the opposition he said faced from Jawaharlal Nehru.
Somnath Temple restoration began after independence
1947
Following India's independence, the restoration of the Somnath Temple was undertaken as one of the first major duties, with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad leading the effort. The article notes that Jawaharlal Nehru faced opposition in this undertaking.