Remembering Swami Vivekananda, PM Modi said that when India was oppressed during colonialism, Swami Vivekananda in Michigan University said that even though this century is yours, next century will belong to India.
"One thing that has harmed our democratic system a lot is giving priority to ideology over national interest. Our ideology should be seen supporting not opposing nation in matters of national interest," PM Modi said.
"I want the youth of India to never accept any status quos ever without questioning. Debate. Have a healthy conversation. Discuss. And then reach a conclusion. Swami Ji never agreed to status quos ever," PM Modi said.
The event was also attended by Union Minister for Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and JNU vice-chancellor Jagadesh Kumar.
While speaking to students of JNU, PM Modi said: "I hope his statue teaches everyone devotion and intense love towards the nation, which is supreme message of Swamiji’s life. May it inspire the country for vision of oneness."
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Meanwhile, a strong protest was reported hours ahead of the scheduled unveiling of the statue. The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) called for a protest gathering at 5 pm today at the varsity’s North Gate.
Even controversial posters were released by the JNUSU students who called for PM Modi to ‘go back’ and demanded ‘answers’ from the Ministry of Education (MoE).
The posters at the agitation site read that protest gathering is against the anti-education and anti-student Modi government.