Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday recalled Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893, highlighting the enduring relevance of his message of tolerance, universal acceptance and harmony as the world marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
In a post on X, PM Modi said Vivekananda’s landmark address provided the world with a glimpse of India’s civilisational ethos and that his inspiring words continue to resonate across the globe.
“11th September 1893, Chicago. Swami Vivekananda’s captivating address offered a glimpse of the civilisational ethos of India. His inspiring words still reverberate across the world,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi also cited excerpts from Vivekananda’s historic speech, delivered at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, where the spiritual leader spoke about religious tolerance, universal acceptance and India’s tradition of welcoming people from different faiths.
Addressing the gathering, Vivekananda said he was proud to belong to a religion that had taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. He also highlighted India’s history of providing refuge to communities persecuted in different parts of the world.
“I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true,” Vivekananda said.
He further invoked the metaphor of different streams flowing into the same sea to underline the idea that people may follow different religious paths while ultimately seeking the same destination.
Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Vivekananda said, “Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me.”
Vivekananda’s address also contained a strong condemnation of sectarianism, bigotry and fanaticism. He warned that such forces had contributed to violence, bloodshed and destruction across the world.
He expressed hope that the gathering in Chicago would mark the beginning of the end of religious hatred, persecution and intolerance.
“I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal,” he said.
PM Modi’s reference to Vivekananda’s speech comes as the United States observes the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in US history.
(ANI)
