• By Shivangi Sharma
  • Thu, 30 May 2024 01:04 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday will commence his two days-long meditation at the Dhyana Mandapam, Tamil Nadu, where Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment. PM Modi will start his meditation on the evening of May 30 (today) and will end it on June 1. PM’s meditation at Dhyana Mandapam is being seen as a callback to his visit to Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath Shrine before the 2019 Lok Sabha election result, wherein PM Modi took a 15-hour-long ‘ekantavas’. However, PM Modi’s meditation plan is largely opposed by the opposition leaders, who are claiming it to be a violation of the ‘silence period’ as Phase 7 of the 2024 Lok Sabha election is to be held on June 1, followed by results on June 4.

Why Did PM Modi Choose Vivekananda Rock Memorial To Meditate?

PM Narendra Modi has often called himself a follower of Swami Vivekananda. He also addressed the 125th anniversary of Ramakrishna Mission, a philanthropic organisation founded by the spiritual guru. Dhyana Mandapam at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a sacred and famous place that provides a quiet atmosphere ideal for meditation for all visitors. Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment at the rock memorial after 3 days and 3 nights of Meditation at the Dhyana Mandapam. 

Why Is Congress Opposing the airing of PM Modi’s meditation at Rock Memorial?

The Congress has claimed that PM Modi’s meditation plans at Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari is a clear violation of the model code of conduct laid down by the Election Commission of India. 

The Congress said that several news agencies are covering this 2-day meditation program of Narendra Modi and it is a clear violation of the “silence period”. 

Several Congress leaders including Randeep Surjewala, Abhishek Singhvi, and Syed Naseer Hussain met ECI and handed over a memorandum comprising 27 complaints on the alleged violation of the code of conduct by BJP including the 2-days long meditation program of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested to order to stop the airing of the Dhyana Mandapam by news agencies. 

"We hope that the ECI will take immediate steps to ensure that the live telecast of the meditation of the 'sarva-ghoshit Bhagwan' (self-styled god) at the Vivekananda Memorial does not take place since this is a brazen and clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct", Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.