Attack was handiwork of outsider, says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

“I am saddened that a twist is being given to the incident,” said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, reacting to media reports that appeared on Tuesday.

Two days after a bullet injured a devotee at the Art of Living ashram located off Kanakapura Road, he said that he was disappointed by the versions of the story being circulated. He reiterated that it was not the handiwork of people within the ashram but of outsiders and that it necessitated a thorough investigation. Activities at the ashram were going on as usual, he said.

The presence of policemen and media at the ashram on Tuesday did indicate that the dust was yet to settle on the matter. But ashram spokespeople said their guru’s day progressed as planned.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar walked to the Vishalakshi mantapa to preside over a session of meditation before lunch. Addressing devotees who had gathered there for their ashtavakrageetha course, he said, with a laugh, “Yesterday (Monday), I got very busy.” He was referring to a day filled with press conferences and media interviews. His nonchalant manner of bringing up the incident elicited laughter, to which he said, “Everyone is happy, peaceful. There is nothing to worry. Is anyone worried?” Devotees reacted with more laughter.

As he walked out of the mantap, he responded to questions from reporters saying, “As you can see, things are normal and peaceful around here.”