KOLHAPUR, JUNE 20 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12 years in office would occupy a special place in the history of independent India and would be remembered for building a resurgent nation and enhancing its stature globally.
Addressing a gathering after launching the ₹500-crore Ambabai Temple Corridor project in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur, Shah said the chapter on Modi’s tenure would be “written in golden letters” for transforming India and strengthening its global standing.
“When the history of independent India is written, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12 years in office will be remembered for creating a resurgent India and elevating the country’s prestige across the world,” Shah said.
Highlighting achievements under Modi’s leadership, he cited the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, redevelopment of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, restoration works at Kedarnath and Badrinath, and projects at Somnath and Kamakhya temples. He said a cultural renaissance was taking place under the mantra of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” (development along with heritage).
Shah said the Ambabai Temple Corridor project would transform the historic seventh-century shrine into a modern pilgrimage centre equipped with AI-based security systems, heritage galleries, a light-and-sound show and other facilities. He added that 41 temples in and around the Mahalaxmi Temple would also be conserved.
The Home Minister credited Modi with strengthening India across sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, semiconductors, quantum engineering, software and space technology, and recalled the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission as a source of national pride.
Taking a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Shah accused him and the Congress of attempting to turn infiltrators into a vote bank, asserting that “India is not a dharmshala” and that every infiltrator would be identified and expelled.
Shah also claimed that there was now only one Shiv Sena under the leadership of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, amid reports of unrest within the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
Earlier in the day, Shah, accompanied by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, offered prayers at the Mahalaxmi Temple and reviewed development projects being undertaken under the Western Maharashtra Temple Development Plan.
