PM Modi invokes Swami Vivekananda; says debate on food habits can't be part of our culture

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the debate on what to eat and what not to eat can not be the part of Indian culture.

PM Modi, while speaking at an event to mark the 125^th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago said, the world used to relate India by what to eat on ‘Ekadashi’ and what not to eat on ‘Purnima’. But, Swami Vivekananda made it clear that what to eat what not to eat cannot be the part of our culture.”

“Food habits can come under social norms but they can never be the part of Indian culture,” he added.

Modi also used the occasion to speak against people who litter and said those who do so have no right to say ‘Vande Mataram’. The crowd intermittently shouted ‘Vande Mataram’ as the prime minister spoke.

Lauding sanitation and cleaning workers, he said they have the first right to sing ‘Vande Mataram’.

Modi said Vivekananda supported experimentation and innovation and his government was working according to the ideals shown by him.

Modi also referred to Vivekananda’s speech as 09/11 and also referred to the terror attack on the US on September 11, 2001.

He said, Vivekananda had given the message of love and brotherhood and the devastating terror strike might not have happened if the significance of the other 09/11 had not been forgotten.