Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a nearly two-day meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari from Thursday, reports The Week.
All arrangements, including tight security, have been made for PM Modi’s 45-hour stay at the underwater monument.
Modi is due to meditate at the Rock Memorial, a monument built in honour of Swami Vivekananda, after the campaign for India’s Lok Sabha elections reaches a climax on Thursday.
PM Modi is scheduled to meditate from Thursday night until Saturday morning.
He did a similar meditation after the 2019 election campaign.
Security has been stepped up ahead of PM Modi’s visit, with 2,000 police personnel on guard duty during his stay. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy will also be on high alert. Tirunelveli Police Commissioner Pravesh Kumar, along with Superintendent of Police E. Sundaravathanam, inspected the security arrangements at the rock memorial, boat jetty, helipad and guest house here.
As the meditation coincides with the silence period ahead of the seventh and final phase of India’s Lok Sabha elections on June 1, the opposition BJP and DMK have expressed concern and filed objections with the Election Commission.
The Indian National Congress on Wednesday alleged that PM Modi is trying to “circumvent” restrictions on silence period with his meditation and urged the Election Commission to ensure that it is not broadcast in the media as it violates the Model Code of Conduct.
The local chapter of the DMK has also submitted a petition to the district collector and district election officer against the chief minister’s event, citing the model code of conduct.
“It is of great spiritual significance that Prime Minister Modi visited the rock memorial at Kanyakumari, the place where Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment,” BJP leader CR Kesavan said.
He claimed that the opposition was in a state of panic and feared they would lose the upcoming elections.
“They are agitated. The people will reject this negative policy of the Indian National Congress and the Indian Independence League. On June 4, with the blessings of Swami Vivekananda and the blessings of the Indian people, Mr Modi will begin a historic term to usher in India’s civilisational revival.”
