NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday cautioned against efforts to fragment society along caste, religious, and linguistic lines, attributing these actions to those seeking personal gain.
Speaking via video conference at the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Vadtal, Gujarat, PM Modi stressed the importance of unity in the face of these divisive agendas, urging collective action to safeguard national integrity.
“There is a conspiracy going on to divide the society on the basis of caste, religion, language, high and low, men and women, villages and cities. It is important that we understand the seriousness of this attempt of the national enemies, understand the crisis and we all have to defeat such an act together,” Modi said, underscoring the need for societal cohesion.
He also emphasised empowering youth, particularly in sectors like IT, to ensure India’s progress and said “Skilled youth will become our biggest strength… The whole world is attracted by the capability of the youth of India.”
PM Modi praised the long-standing role of saints and sages in guiding humanity toward purpose, saying, “Every person’s life has a purpose that defines it. When we discover our life’s purpose, it changes everything. Saints and sages have, in every age, helped humanity realize its purpose. This has been a tremendous contribution of saints and sages to our society.”
PM Modi’s speech at 200th year celebrations of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir via VC
He celebrated the temple’s enduring influence as a symbol of Indian spiritual culture and values, with Vadtal Dham, founded by Lord Swaminarayan 200 years ago, representing an “eternal flow of Indian culture.”
Marking the occasion, PM Modi noted that the government had issued a commemorative silver coin of Rs 200 and a stamp. He also expressed pride in the Swaminarayan community’s alignment with government initiatives, such as their environmental efforts.
“Whenever I have made any appeal, all the saints and devotees have never disappointed me… Recently, I had made an appeal, ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam.’ Under this campaign, the Swaminarayan community has planted more than 1,00,000 trees.”
PM Modi encouraged the community to promote the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj globally, inviting them to spread awareness of the event’s cultural importance.
He urged them to “educate people across the world and explain to those foreigners who are not of Indian origin what this Kumbh Mela is… This will be a work of spreading awareness in the whole world.”
The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Vadtal, known as the spiritual centre of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, has influenced Indian social and spiritual life for decades.
Constructed on the command of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan, the temple’s unique lotus-shaped architecture and intricate stone carvings symbolise harmony among all religions and cultural richness.
