University Unveiled

Uphold spirit of multi-faith fabric: Sri Sri

BHUBANESWAR: Respecting other religions should be our practice to uphold the multi-faith fabric and plurality of Indian society but ‘vote-bank politics’ to appease minorities must be condemned.Speaking against forcible or ‘evil intension’ conversions, founder of Art of Living (AOL) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today said that Centre’s recent declaration of 25 lakh scholarships for students belonging to a particular minority community was a ‘very bad idea’ as it would create more ‘differences’ among the students.‘‘Grants for minority institutions are okay, but there should not be any politics inside the classroom,’’ he said adding rather economically backward students from all communities should get the benefits.Speaking about a ‘sustainable vision’ to solve all the regional problems arising out of various issues across the country, Sri Sri said there is ‘‘no one-stop solution for all, rather they should be solved through inter-faith dialogues comprising religious leaders from all communities.’’On whether he would visit strife-torn Kandhamal during his stay in Orissa, the AOL founder said, ‘‘I should go, but it depends on the situation and the State Government.’’Addressing mediapersons, the spiritual Guru said voluntary adoption of any religion should not be banned, but it should not be allowed if poor people are told that what they are practising or doing is ‘evil or bad’ or their faith is ‘inferior’. Conversion in the name of development, and all sorts of evangelical activities must be dealt with firmly, he said quoting Mahatma Gandhi.‘‘Conversion has created so many problems. It has even divided brothers and sisters in a family,’’ he said and welcomed the State Government’s reported statement to have a re-look into the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act.Later, Sri Sri attended a ‘mahastsang’ at the proposed AOL University ground near Naraj. The foundation stone for the varsity will be laid in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday.

Courtesy: Internet