Chanting 'Om' seems to also trigger rows now: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday took a dig at the critics of his government, indicating how they can create controversies out of nothing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at the critics of his government on Monday, indicating how they can create controversies out of nothing.

Releasing the digital version of Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas, the PM quipped that nowadays even the chanting of “Om”, the sacred sound, can invoke criticism. He also wondered whether the Ramcharitmanas, which was never questioned by critics in this country, finds itself in the eye of a new storm.

“In our country, there are different opinions on many issues. Today, if somebody utters ‘Om’, a week-long controversy will rage as to how ‘Om’ can be uttered,” Modi said. He was hinting at the controversy over the inclusion of chanting Om as a part of the protocol on the World Yoga day on June 21.

“No one in the country, so far has questioned Ramcharitmanas. It is still popular. I don’t know, may be after today somebody’s attention gets drawn towards it and a furore is created,” the PM said.