Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Yogi Says Ghaznavi Sought to Destroy Sanatan Tradition
Yogi Adityanath spoke at a seminar in Gorakhpur about India’s knowledge traditions.
He said foreign invaders wanted to harm India’s wealth and its intellectual heritage.
He used Mahmud Ghaznavi’s attack on the Somnath Temple as an example.
Adityanath claimed Ghaznavi wanted to damage India’s Sanatan tradition, not just take treasure.
He also said destroying temples and learning centers weakened India’s knowledge.
According to him, India was once known as “Vishwaguru,” or a world teacher.
He pointed to Takshashila and Nalanda as examples of ancient learning institutions.
He compared their age with the more recent prosperity of today’s developed countries.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed foreign invaders targeted India’s intellectual and Sanatan heritage as well as its wealth.
He cited Mahmud Ghaznavi’s attack on the Somnath Temple as an example during a seminar in Gorakhpur.
Adityanath said Ghaznavi’s objective was allegedly to destroy India’s Sanatan tradition, not merely to loot valuables.
He argued that temple and learning-center destructions weakened India’s intellectual heritage.
Adityanath said India was once called “Vishwaguru” because of institutions such as Takshashila and Nalanda.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, speaking about foreign invaders and Mahmud Ghaznavi.
- What
- Adityanath claimed invaders sought to destroy India’s Sanatan and intellectual heritage alongside its wealth.
- When
- Thursday.
- Where
- A seminar at the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- He said the alleged destruction of temples and learning institutions was intended to weaken India’s knowledge tradition.
- Speaker
- Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh chief minister
- Event
- Seminar on Indian knowledge tradition
- Location
- Gorakhnath Temple, Gorakhpur
- Historical example
- Mahmud Ghaznavi’s attack on the Somnath Temple
- Central claim
- Foreign invaders allegedly targeted India’s intellectual and Sanatan heritage
- Ancient institutions cited
- Takshashila and Nalanda
- Historical identity
- Adityanath said India was known as “Vishwaguru” because of its knowledge tradition