PM Modi Meditation Retreat : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a two-day spiritual retreat in Kanniyakumari, where he will meditate at the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial. The Prime Minister’s meditation session will take place at the Dhyan Mandapam, the very spot where the revered Hindu philosopher-saint Swami Vivekananda meditated in 1892 to envision the future of India.
PM Modi’s Secret Meditation Retreat Sparks Major Political Firestorm: Congress Furious!
The Symbolic Venue
Kanniyakumari, the meeting point of the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea, serves as a significant symbol of national unity. BJP leaders have highlighted this choice of location as a deliberate signal emphasizing the importance of unity across the nation.
Security Measures
To ensure the Prime Minister’s safety, over 2,000 police personnel have been deployed around the memorial. Additionally, the Coast Guard and the Navy are on high alert, maintaining a vigilant watch over the area.
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Historical Context
The timing of this meditation session is notable as it coincides with the end of campaigning for the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections, which concluded at 5 PM today. This is not the first time Prime Minister Modi has chosen a spiritual retreat during a critical period in the election cycle. During the 2019 elections, he meditated in a cave in Kedarnath when the silent period began before the last phase of voting.
Political Controversy
The Prime Minister’s meditation plan has sparked significant political controversy. The Congress party has accused him of attempting to “circumvent” the restrictions of the silence period. They have approached the Election Commission to ensure that media coverage of the Prime Minister’s meditation is restricted, arguing that it would violate the model code of conduct.
A delegation of Congress leaders, including Randeep Surjewala, Abhishek Singhvi, and Syed Naseer Hussain, handed over a memorandum to the Election Commission. They contend that broadcasting visuals of the Prime Minister meditating could serve as propaganda material, undermining the fairness intended by the silence period.
The Tamil Nadu unit of the CPM also wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner, calling for a ban on the telecast of the meditation visuals. They argued that meditation is a private act, and in this context, it appears to be a strategic move to influence voters.
Reactions from Political Leaders
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressing a crowd at a Kolkata roadshow, criticized the Prime Minister’s actions. She emphasized the constitutional responsibilities of the Prime Minister’s office and accused him of using meditation sessions as a publicity stunt. “The chair of the PM is valuable and it has constitutional responsibilities. They don’t care about it. Every time before counting, he sits somewhere to gain publicity for 48 hours. He may meditate, but why in the presence of cameras?” Banerjee said.
BJP’s Defense
In response, the BJP defended the Prime Minister’s meditation plan, accusing the opposition of harboring an “anti-Sanatan mindset.” BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated, “If someone wants to go for meditation, that too when the election campaign ends on May 30, because that person took inspiration from Swami Vivekananda, why is the Congress party calling it a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)?”
Poonawalla further criticized the Congress and Trinamool Congress for opposing the Prime Minister’s actions, suggesting that it reflects an anti-Hindu attitude. “People say that he (Rahul Gandhi) often goes abroad for meditation, he can go there at his centre of faith and no one stops him,” he added.
Conclusion
As Prime Minister Modi begins his meditation session at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the political debate surrounding his actions continues to intensify. The event underscores the intersection of spirituality and politics in India, highlighting how public actions, even those of a meditative nature, can become focal points of political contention.
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FAQs on PM Modi’s Meditation Retreat at Vivekananda Rock Memorial
1. What is the purpose of PM Modi’s visit to Kanniyakumari?
- PM Modi visited Kanniyakumari to meditate at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the same spot where Swami Vivekananda meditated in 1892.
2. Why did PM Modi choose the Vivekananda Rock Memorial for his meditation?
- PM Modi chose the Vivekananda Rock Memorial because it holds historical significance, as Swami Vivekananda meditated there, gaining a vision for India’s future.
3. When did PM Modi’s meditation session start and end?
- PM Modi’s meditation session started in the evening and will continue until Saturday evening.
4. How many police personnel are deployed for PM Modi’s security during his meditation retreat?
- Over 2,000 police personnel have been deployed for PM Modi’s security at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
5. Why has PM Modi’s meditation retreat sparked a political row?
- The retreat has sparked controversy as opposition parties claim it circumvents the election silence period, potentially influencing voters.
6. What was the Congress’s reaction to PM Modi’s meditation plan?
- The Congress claimed PM Modi’s meditation plan was a tactic to gain publicity during the silence period and approached the Election Commission to prevent media coverage.
7. What did the Tamil Nadu unit of the CPM do in response to PM Modi’s meditation retreat?
- The Tamil Nadu unit of the CPM wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner asking for a ban on the telecast of PM Modi meditating, citing concerns of it being used as propaganda.
8. What did Mamata Banerjee say about PM Modi’s meditation retreat?
- Mamata Banerjee criticized PM Modi for seeking publicity through meditation during the silence period, questioning the presence of cameras.
9. How did the BJP respond to the criticism of PM Modi’s meditation retreat?
- The BJP defended PM Modi, accusing the opposition of having an anti-Hindu attitude and questioning their opposition to Swami Vivekananda.
10. What is the significance of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial?
- The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is significant as it is the site where Swami Vivekananda meditated and formulated his vision for India’s future.
11. Has PM Modi undertaken similar spiritual retreats before?
- Yes, PM Modi had previously meditated in a cave at Kedarnath during the silence period before the last phase of the 2019 elections.
12. What is the stance of the Election Commission on PM Modi’s meditation retreat?
- The Election Commission has not yet issued a formal stance on the matter, despite the Congress’s request for intervention.
13. What are the security measures in place for PM Modi’s meditation retreat?
- In addition to police personnel, the Coast Guard and the Navy are maintaining vigilance around the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
14. How has the public reacted to PM Modi’s meditation retreat?
- Public reactions are mixed, with some viewing it as a personal spiritual journey and others seeing it as a political move.
15. What is the historical importance of Swami Vivekananda’s meditation at the rock memorial?
- Swami Vivekananda’s meditation at the rock memorial is historically important as it is believed to have given him the clarity and vision for his future work for India.
16. What are the dates for the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections?
- The last phase of the Lok Sabha elections will occur after PM Modi’s meditation retreat, during which the silence period is observed.
17. How long will PM Modi meditate at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial?
- PM Modi will meditate for two days at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
18. What measures are being taken to ensure that PM Modi’s meditation does not influence voters?
- Opposition parties have requested the Election Commission to prevent the telecast of PM Modi’s meditation to avoid influencing voters.
19. Why do some political parties oppose the telecast of PM Modi’s meditation?
- They believe it could be used as propaganda material, thereby undermining the purpose of the election silence period and fair play.
20. What message is the BJP trying to convey through PM Modi’s meditation retreat?
- The BJP emphasizes national unity and spirituality, drawing inspiration from Swami Vivekananda and countering claims of it being a political maneuver.
