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Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has chosen to immerse himself in a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat in Hoshiarpur in Punjab from Wednesday, instead of responding to the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons — issued for the second time.
 
Kejriwal’s decision comes in the wake of fresh summons issued by the ED on December 17, asking him to appear before the agency on December 21.
 
Departing from his residence at 1.40 pm on Wednesday, Kejriwal, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, headed to the airport to board a flight to Punjab. The meditation retreat was pre-scheduled from December 19 to 30, conflicting with the ED’s summons.
 
This marks the second occasion Kejriwal has disregarded ED summonses. Previously, on November 2, he opted to campaign in Madhya Pradesh, challenging the summons as “vague and unsubstantiated” and “politically-motivated”. AAP's legal team is expected to respond formally to the ED soon.
 
While the Enforcement Directorate awaits a response, AAP’s key figures, including former Minister Satyendar Jain, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, and communications in-charge Vijay Nair, are facing legal challenges.
 
Sisodia, Singh, and Nair are in custody on money laundering charges linked to the alleged Delhi Excise scam. The prevailing concern within the AAP is whether Kejriwal may eventually face arrest, prompting the party's strategists to navigate the situation legally and politically.
 
In the midst of this, Kejriwal’s commitment to Vipassana remains unwavering. He has been a dedicated practitioner, making time for meditation almost every year. Despite the ongoing controversies, Kejriwal's departure to Hoshiarpur signals his dedication to his spiritual practice.
 
In a symbolic gesture of support, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs — Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak — met Kejriwal on Wednesday morning to discuss pending issues during his absence. The Delhi Chief Minister's commitment to Vipassana appears to be in line with his routine, despite the political storm surrounding him.
 
It remains to be seen how the ED will react to Kejriwal's non-compliance with their summons for the second time. The AAP's legal and political maneuvering indicates a preparedness to confront the challenges ahead.
 
In the meantime, as the controversy unfolds, Kejriwal, in line with his annual ritual, will dedicate the next 10 days to meditation at the Anandgarh Dham Vipassana Meditation Center in Hoshiarpur. The serene setting, located about 10 kilometers outside Mahilavali village, offers the Delhi Chief Minister a break from the political tumult, allowing him to focus on his spiritual journey undisturbed.