Varanasi, 11 May

(HS): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed on Monday that

foreign invaders' attempts to obliterate India's spiritual and cultural

identity have failed, claiming that Sanatan exists in India's awareness and

cannot be erased. Addressing the Somnath Sankalp Mahotsav in Varanasi as part

of the 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv', Adityanath praised Prime Minister Narendra

Modi for directing the country toward the goal of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'

and spearheading the rebirth of key spiritual centres across India.

Whether it is the

grand reconstruction and beautification of the Somnath temple in Saurashtra,

the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Kashi, the Mahakal Mahalok in Ujjain, or the

construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, many sacred centers associated with

Sanatan tradition are embarking on a new journey of development with renewed

grandeur, according to Adityanath.

He claimed that

the reconstruction and restoration of important pilgrimage sites indicated a

comeback of Indian civilizational pride. I applaud the prime minister on these

measures, and I do it on behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh. Referring to

previous invasions, the chief minister stated that various foreign rulers

sought to undermine India's cultural and spiritual character. From Mohammad

Ghori to the Mughals, numerous foreign invaders attempted to undermine our

spiritual and cultural identity, he claimed. Targeting Mughal ruler Aurangzeb,

Adityanath said that the historic Kashi Vishwanath temple was dismantled during

his reign and rebuilt with what he viewed as a symbol of servitude. Aurangzeb razed Baba Vishwanath's old temple

and built a monument symbolising servitude here, yet he said they could not

shatter India's soul.

They couldn't

realize that Sanatan exists not just within temple walls, but also in the

awareness of India itself. India thinks its soul is everlasting and immortal,

he added. The chief minister stated that India's spiritual and cultural legacy

represented the timeless appeal of the country's everlasting civilization. Those

who attempted to eliminate Sanatan have disappeared into dust. Today, no one

remembers the invaders, but Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Somnath temple continue

to tell the tale of India's self-respect, he stated. Adityanath further said

that even now, elements block the revival of India's spiritual and cultural

emblems. Unfortunately, certain forces continue to oppose the dignity with

which these emblems of India's pride and self-respect progress, he stated.

Without mentioning

any political parties or figures, he said that those who opposed the renovation

of the Somnath temple eventually obstructed the construction of the Ram temple

in Ayodhya. Adityanath stated that independent India had the potential to go

forward aggressively with such measures but lacked the commitment to restore

the country's civilisational dignity. He added that while independent India has

the potential to effectively progress such programs, there was a lack of

purpose to restore India's self-respect and civilizational pride. Governor

Anandiben Patel also addressed the crowd on the occasion.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi