📷 Image Credits: The Hindu
On May 31, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s awareness of Swami Vivekananda’s message of religious harmony at the World’s Parliament of Religions. Mr. Yechury highlighted a quote from Vivekananda where he spoke about the importance of ‘Help and not Fight’, ‘Assimilation and not Destruction’, ‘Harmony and Peace and not Dissension’ during his speech at the final session in Chicago on September 27, 1893. The CPI(M) and other Opposition parties criticized Mr. Modi and BJP leaders for their remarks during campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls, triggering complaints of Model Code of Conduct violations. Specifically, Modi’s comments in Banswara, Rajasthan, suggesting wealth redistribution to Muslims if the Congress came to power, drew backlash. Meanwhile, Mr. Modi embarked on a 45-hour long meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, where questions about his understanding of Vivekananda’s teachings arose amidst ongoing election concerns.
