India, Sept. 24 -- GORAKHPUR Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday claimed that foreign invaders sought to destroy India's intellectual and Sanatan heritage along with its wealth while the British later attempted to distance Indians from their roots by creating doubts about their languages, traditions and indigenous knowledge systems.

He cited Mahmud Ghaznavi's attack on the Somnath temple as an example.

"When Mahmud Ghaznavi went to demolish the Somnath temple, the priests told him not to damage the temple or the idol and offered him as much gold and jewellery as he wanted," Adityanath said addressing a gathering during a lecture session at the seven-day death anniversary programme organised at Shri Gorakhnath Temple to mark the 5...