BJP leaders on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav, while criticising previous Congress-led governments for allegedly "destroying Sanatan culture" through appeasement politics.
PM Modi is scheduled to take part in the Sanatan Amrut Mahotsav marking 75 years since the reconstruction and inauguration of the historic Somnath Temple.
Calling the occasion a proud moment for the country and followers of Sanatan culture, Bihar BJP chief Sanjay Saraogi praised the Prime Minister's efforts to preserve and promote India's spiritual and cultural heritage.
Speaking on PM Modi's visit to Somnath Temple, Saraogi told IANS, "On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple, the Prime Minister is visiting the temple today. The way Congress governments destroyed the Sanatani culture was very unfair. They used to work for a specific community. On the other hand, our Prime Minister is working to take our culture forward. Very best wishes to him for this."
Echoing similar sentiments, Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav said the Prime Minister's visit carried deep spiritual and national significance.
"Somnath Temple is a historic temple, and PM Modi is going there and will pray for the happiness and prosperity of the 140 crore people. Our country will soon become developed, and he will pray for that too," Yadav told IANS.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to participate in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav as Gujarat celebrates 75 years since the inauguration of the restored Somnath Temple, one of the country's most revered pilgrimage sites. The event commemorates the reconstruction of the temple after Independence and highlights its historical and cultural significance.
Authorities have put extensive security arrangements in place in and around Somnath ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. Religious rituals, elaborate welcome programmes and cultural performances have also been organised as part of the celebrations.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi will participate in the Vishesh Maha Puja, Kumbhabhishek and Dhvajarohan ceremonies during the event. He is also scheduled to release a commemorative stamp and coin marking the 75th anniversary of the restored shrine.
The celebrations are expected to witness participation from thousands of devotees, religious leaders, artists and dignitaries from across the country.
Meanwhile, PM Modi also congratulated C. Joseph Vijay after he took oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and assured that the Centre would continue working with the state for the welfare of its people.
However, the Prime Minister also launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing it of betraying its longtime ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), after aligning with Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
"Just look at the situation in Tamil Nadu right now. For 25-30 years, the Congress shared a close relationship with the DMK. Time and again, the alliance with the DMK pulled the Congress out of crises," PM Modi said.
"Driven by its lust for power, the Congress stabbed the DMK in the back at the very first opportunity. Now, Congress needs yet another party, one on whose back it can ride, to remain politically relevant," he added.
The DMK also criticised Congress in a party resolution passed in the presence of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin.
"The Congress has committed a great betrayal by stabbing our party leader in the back," the resolution stated, while accusing the party of abandoning its longtime ally despite benefiting from the alliance over the years.
