Days after facing a significant setback in the Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal is set to attend a Vipassana meditation retreat in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. This marks his first trip outside Delhi following the election results.
### A Retreat Amid Political Turmoil
Kejriwal, who lost the New Delhi Assembly seat to BJP’s Pravesh Verma, has often turned to Vipassana for self-reflection and stress relief. He has previously attended similar meditation sessions in Dharmkot, Nagpur, and Bengaluru. Vipassana, an ancient Indian meditation technique, focuses on self-purification and self-awareness by temporarily detaching from communication and external distractions.
### Political Jibes and Speculations
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa took a sharp dig at Kejriwal’s retreat, suggesting that he would have “plenty of time for Vipassana in jail” once cases are registered following the release of the Public Accounts Committee’s report on the CAG. Sirsa also mocked Kejriwal’s travel, claiming he would no longer enjoy air travel at government expense.
Adding to the political drama, the BJP has alleged that Kejriwal is preparing for a Rajya Sabha role, a claim that AAP has strongly denied.
### The Significance of Vipassana
Vipassana, which translates to “seeing things as they truly are,” is a meditation practice that encourages participants to disconnect from communication and focus inward. It is widely regarded as a powerful tool for stress relief and self-reflection, making it a popular choice for individuals seeking mental clarity during challenging times.
As Kejriwal embarks on this retreat, the political landscape in Delhi remains charged, with both AAP and BJP continuing to trade barbs. The coming weeks will reveal how this period of introspection influences Kejriwal’s next steps in his political journey.
