DNA-WION Exclusive | Vested interests wanted to sabotage AOL program, now keeping issue alive: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

In an exclusive interview with DNA-WION, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that India has changed after Modi government came to power. Speaking on issues ranging from cow vigilantism to NGT controversy, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that Narendra Modi has brought in the spirit of positive and inclusive nationalism. He also said that triple talaq should be abolished and his programme in Delhi was opposed by people with vested interests and they wanted to sabotage it.  

 Watch full interview on WION.  Here are edited excerpts from the interview: 

Q: Why is AOL refusing to pay the fine imposed by the NGT?

A: We have already paid the fine. We have paid with protest as our side was never heard. If you violate any law then it is fine. Court says that it is compensation and not fine. It is a deposit and not fine.

 Q: The matter will go to the Supreme Court?

A: The hearing has not happened. I hope justice would prevail.

 Q: Does it undermine the work which AOL has undertaken?

A: Not at all. We were the one which worked for Mere Dilli Mere Yamuna. 10,000 volunteers worked to clean Yamuna. We would be the last people to pollute it. There are people with vested interests who want to rake up this issue.

 Q: Who are these vested interests?

A: I don’t know.

 Q: Do you feel that you got targeted because you supported certain political personalities and had strong views on politics?

A: Maybe but one thing for sure that there are jealous people and they felt that we could take on the world. It was cultural Olympics. Naturally some people wanted to stop it. Yamuna wasn’t the concern. They wanted to sabotage the programme which they couldn’t do.

 Q: Why do you say that?

A: They tried all means and kept calling international dignitaries telling them they shouldn’t come. They sent petitions to the Prime Minister and the President asking them not to come. If they were so serious about Yamuna, 100 m from there, encroachments exist and toxic material is being injected in the river. They weren’t happy with the idea of the event.

 Q: Or was it that your views and ideas were different and didn’t gel with the pre-existing one?

A: 2500 religious leaders from all faiths were present. India is proud of it. Today we are getting calls from other countries to organise the event. In the 4 days, Delhi’s GDP grew by 40 % and 13 % tourists arrived that month. Lot of good things happened. There is a saying in Sanskrit that if you envision something big then there will be hurdles but we faced them all with great spirit and enthusiasm.

 Q: You are saying that these were little obstacles?

A: Correct.

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Q: Modi government is completing three years in power. How do you evaluate their tenure?

A: This government (BJP) has boosted the image of the country everywhere in the world. People are taking notice of the country. There is tremendous faith in the people. There aren’t many scams and there is a nationalistic spirit which PM has re-enforced in the country which has appealed to the youth of the country.  

Q: But if you look at the political narrative, nationalism has divided us?

A: Nationalism doesn’t mean that you question other people’s patriotism. Religion and nationalism are different and shouldn’t be mixed with religion. People of all faiths are patriotic to this country. People who do anti-social activities don’t belong to one religion.

Nationalism is not looked down upon in any country be it US or any other state. Patriotism is held up high. Somehow in India, for couple of decades if you are patriotic, the feeling is that you are side-lining people which is not correct and it should be done away with.

 Q: Has Modi tried to correct it?

A: Yes, he has tried to correct it. He brought in the spirit of positive and inclusive nationalism.

 Q: How do you define positive nationalism?

A: It includes all communities. All communities are coming together.

 Q: AOL is very active in 2014? Has Modi made a difference in NE?

A: We have worked with ULFA and other militants in Northeast. They were persuaded by us to join the mainstream. You should work at multiple levels. Inner wounds need to be healed. When it happens, healing takes place. The aim is to have economic growth. 

Q: Were you able to achieve the aim?

 A: We could do it and ensured that surrendered militants get re-integrated into society. We brought some back to ashram too.

 Q: You are speaking about peace but India is seeing lot of vigilantism and violence?

A: This is not a new situation and an issue and it has been there for ages. Sepoy mutiny happened over identification of 2 animals. I would prefer the vigilantes to be vigilant against crime rather than in the name of the cow. There is so much crime against society and they should be vigilant against them. This effort is required. The police force cannot bring peace in the civil society. The civic society must wake up.

Q: Then how do you ensure that in name of cow people don’t target each other?

A: These are few incidents in a big country like India. It should be treated like crime and not as onslaught of one culture against the other. It is only a crime and shouldn’t be seen as onslaught approved by the majority.

 Q: So, you are saying that this projection is worrying?

A: Correct

 Q: What is happening in Kashmir?

A: It really pains me. I have been working with them for a long time. It really pains me. The youth are suffering. There is no leadership for them in the Valley. Media in the Valley is controlled by vested interests. It brings passion in them to go and rebel and destroy and it is being promoted and that is unfortunate.

The youth should also feel integrated with the rest. The targeting of the Kashmiri youngsters in plains creates a backlash in the Valley. We have said that if someone targets you, then you should contact us. Evolving from a narrow regional vision to global vision would be helpful.

 Q: Can the problem of violence be resolved with political actors or does it require inter-faith dialogue?

A: Inter-faith dialogue is required as religious leaders do have space in people’s life. They impact the people either in a very positive or negative way. 

 Q: Have you tried inter-faith dialogue when it comes to Kashmir?

A: Yes, we have done that but we need to do more.

 Q: How do you do it? India has a very aggressive and disturbed neighbourhood.

A: Across the world there is extremism and we need to understand it. We have not invested in peace education. Neither in schools nor at home. We have not tackled issues of anger or greed. If the world can invest 1 percent of what they invest in defence, in peace education the world can be a much better place.

 Q: India also have its own issue like Ayodhya. Should the temple issue be decided by consensus or be a result of judicial pronouncement?

A: Way back in 2003, I gave a proposal that it cannot be a matter of the court. It can be a gesture to each other. It can become a measure of goodwill. There are vested interests everywhere who block such initiatives. There can be give and take or else it will continue to be a thorn and security challenge. 

  Q: Are you saying that judicial decision pronouncement instead of closing the issue can become a festering wound?

A: In this one, would lose the opportunity to foster goodwill towards each other. But if it comes from the heart then it will become an opportunity to heal the wounds.

 Q: How come you have not been able to realise this opportunity in India?

A: Well, there were many political interference and many wanted to use it for political mileage but time is right and I still have hope. 

 Q: Can ever spirituality be divorced from politics?

A: It cannot be divorced from anything. You need spirituality in everything. It uplifts the spirit. You need it in sports also. It is about basic ethics of life and how can politics be devoid of ethics.

 Q: You have spoken on women issues in past. Today there is a raging debate on triple talaq. Do you think it requires reform?

A: Reforms are required. Human rights should be the first thing to be attended to. Women should have equal rights. They have equal rights and these reforms must be brought in. There was a time music was barred by a religion but later they made music part of their life. Pictures weren’t allowed too but also came in usage. What is required is timely transition. Values are eternal but practices differ and they need reform when they are out of date.

 Q: Then women be allowed in Sabrimala as per your logic. Why not?

A: There was a reason why they weren’t allowed between an age period. Now it needs to be looked in. This is something for religious leaders to consider. 

 Q: Can there be a spiritually healthy life without renunciation?

A: Yes, it can be done. We don’t ask people to renounce the world. To be spiritual doesn’t mean that you need to leave what you do.

 Q: What is the mantra?

A: Work-life balance. Meditation is the key. It changes the structure of the brain. It allows selfless service activity and keeps your mind sane.

 Q: You are saying that meditation would suffice?

A: Yes. Like dental hygiene, it is mental hygiene. Simple formula is clarity of mind and heart.

 Q: You used the word depression? This country lacks a grid for mental health. Does your therapy work?

A: A weak mind cannot carry a strong body but a strong mind can carry a weak body. You see this happening all over the world. 25 % Japanese want to commit suicide. The city of Bengaluru witnesses so many suicides. It manifests lack of self-confidence. Self-confidence helps you by building endurance. 

The interview will be telecast on WION at 8 PM and there will be a repeat telecast at 9 PM on Sunday.