Bengaluru : Security has been tightened at the sprawling Art of Living ashram on Kanakapura Road on the outskirts of Bengaluru following a directive from the Centre that the ashram head Sri Sri Ravi Shankar faces new threat perceptions from groups like the ISIS.
Sources in the Ashram said that the new directive has asked all the state governments to tighten the security at all Art of Living units and also provide extra security cover to the guru who has a fair amount of following even in countries like Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan — the hotbed of Jehadi militant groups.
The Centre’s communiqué has specifically mentioned
terror outfits ISIS and Pakistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The ISIS had earlier expressed its ire at Sri Sri for meddling in Islamic affairs through his Art of Living programmes.
In the case of Pakistan-based terror groups, the Home Ministry communication pointed out that the Art of Living centre in Islamabad was set afire allegedly by the Taliban and the group had even threatened to kill him.
Sources here told FPJ that security is already tight at the Ashram, but with the new directive, extra layers of security would be provided to Sri Sri and also to his centre here.
It may be recalled that in March this year, Sri Sri received death threats from the ISIS while he was on a tour of Malaysia.
The ISIS had sent a missive to the manager of Hotel Jen, where the Guru was staying, threatening to blow up the hotel if he was allowed to carry out “Hindu activities” in the country.
The ISIS alleged that though the Indian guru claims himself to be a “non-religious” person, his organisation Art of Living has been “converting Muslims in Iran and Iraq”. It is “meddling in Islamic affairs”, it said.
