Sri Sri Ravishankar in damage control, says he never generalised

Under fire for his comments that government schools are breeding ground for Naxalism, spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar on Wednesday moved into a damage-control act saying he never made a generalisation and "great talents have emerged from these schools".

"I did not say that all the government school breed Naxalism. Great talents have been emerged from these schools and I would never generalise," Ravishankar, the Art of Living founder, said in a statement here.

"I specifically referred to sick government schools in Naxal-affected areas. Many who have turned to Naxalism have come from these schools," he said.

"Art of Living is running 185 pre-schools in such areas and I urge more institutions to join this effort to spread peace through education," he said.

Talking to reporters at his Ashram here, Ravishankar said on Wednesday that he visited several Naxal-hit areas and found that the condition of government schools there is poor and there is a need for improvement.

Asked about his views about privatisation of education, he said that sometimes, in comparison, students of private schools excel over those from government schools.