Ravi Shankar to skip VHP’s Dharam Sansad in Udupi over Mohan Bhagwat’s angry jibe

Ravi Shankar to skip VHP’s Dharam Sansad in Udupi over Mohan Bhagwat’s angry jibe

Udupi (India Today): A day after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat took a jibe Sri Sri Ravi shankar for trying to ‘find a solution’ for the dragging dispute in Ayodhya, the Art of Living founder has decided to skip the Dharam Sansad in Udupi.

Sources in the Art of Living said that Sri Sri cancelled his trip after the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made a statement saying that there was no need for mediation by Sri Sri, despite telling him so, he continues and that means that he is doing it on his own and the Dharam Sansad is not in line with his actions.

Ravi Shankar was invited to attend the three-day Dharam Sansad event organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Karnataka’s Udupi to discuss issues like- Ram Temple controversy, cow slaughter and religious conversions.

Speaking at a gathering at the Sansad on Friday, Rashritya Swayamsevak Sang chief had come down heavily on Sri Sri for his bid to resolve the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Mashjid discord.

Without naming Sri Sri, Bhagwat had fired,”There is a famous person. The one who we know through media. He is part of the talks. He came and met me and wanted to discuss about the issue (Ram Janmabhoomi). I said it is not our job at all. He did not listen to me, and tried to pass a resolution at a programme I was present. The Dharma Sansad is there to lead the way”.

Reiterating strongly that no compromises will be made on the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Bhagwat added, “The Ram temple will be constructed at the site of Ramjanmabhoomi and nothing else will be built. It will be constructed and that too in its original form and with the same stones. It will be built under the leadership of those who led this movement and have been holding its flag for 20-25 years.”

While the case is being fought in court, the Dharam Sansad made it clear that the Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya at the place where the deity rests.

“We should keep talking, but the talk should be between those who are concerned and people are emphasising that the temple must be built. The temple should be built in the form as it has been directed by sadhus and the talks should be by those who are concerned. If Sri Sri Ravi Shankar came to Udupi it would have been good for him as he could have put his viewpoint to us sadhus here, and on behalf of these people, he could have say ended the talks, may be his stand would have got strengthened,” said Swami Govindadev Giri Maharaj from Pune.

While Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji, the chairman of Dharam Sansad, said ” If Sri Sri efforts come to a positive end, we will be happy, we will definitely ask him why he could not join us here at the Dharam Sansad.”

However, sources from the Art of Living said that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will continue his efforts to find an out of court settlement in a peaceful manner by speaking to all shareholders.

During the talks between the Shia Waqf Board as well as other stakeholders such as the Nirmohi Akhada, earlier Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had said that “we will take everybody together and we will create an atmosphere which will help us build a Ram temple at Ram janmabhoomi.”

The perception of Sri Sri’s efforts amongst the people at the Dharam Sansad was evident with VHP working president Praveen Togadia playing down the efforts and even terming it to be futile apart from being a waste of time.