Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Somnath Swabhiman Parv in Somnath, Gujarat, asserted that the forces which had opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath temple after India's independence are "still active among us." He cautioned the nation to remain alert, united, and strong to defeat any attempts to divide the country, emphasizing that instead of 'swords,' 'conspiracies are now being hatched through other means.' The Prime Minister's statements were made on Sunday, January 11, 2026, during the 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv,' an event designed to commemorate 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni's first invasion of the Somnath temple in 1026 AD, and also marking 75 years since its post-independence reconstruction. Modi highlighted the historical resistance faced even during the temple's rebuilding after independence, recalling the objections raised when then President Rajendra Prasad attended its inauguration in 1951. He underscored that Somnath's history is not one of destruction and defeat, but rather of victory, renewal, and the indomitable spirit of Indian civilization, which has ensured its rebuilding time and again. During his visit, PM Modi also led a 'Shaurya Yatra'—a ceremonial procession featuring 108 horses—to honour the countless warriors who defended the temple over centuries. The event was widely reported by credible Indian news outlets, corroborating the Prime Minister's remarks and the details of the celebrations. He described Somnath as a 'proud symbol of civilisational courage' and a source of cultural confidence for India's future.