Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was booked under IPC section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community by expressing “provocative” statements on the Ayodhya issue.
Moghalpura police station Inspector R Devendar said, “The complaint against the spiritual guru, who has been trying for a solution to the Ayodhya dispute through mediation, was filed by Salahuddin Affan, secretary of the city-based Darsgah Jihad-O-Shahadat (DJS).”
The complainant alleged that the spiritual leader had stated that “if the court rules against a temple (in Ayodhya), there will be bloodshed in the country and India will have a Syria- like situation.” He further alleged that this statement was given with an intention to disturb communal harmony in the country.
However, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar clarified that he had cited Syria merely as an example. He said, “It was a point of view, and not threat. There is no point in giving a threat. I cannot imagine it even in my dreams. We want peace, and an atmosphere of harmony. I feel that the situation which is prevailing in other countries, should never arise in our country. We are working in those countries.”
