Ravi Shankar expresses regret over violent protests

Chennai, Dec 9 (UNI) Spiritual Guru and scholar Sri Ravi Shankar has expressed deep regret over the recent violent protests in different parts of Tamil Nadu following the reported vandalisation of a statue of social reformer Periyar E V Ramasamy in Srirangam.

Expressing concern over the rising intolerance in the country, he said the incidences of vandalisation of idols and assault on people indicate the high level of anger and frustration among different communities.

We need to put an immediate end to this, otherwise it will be disastrous for our divided society, he said in a statement here and appealed to activists to channelise their energy into creative and socially productive activities rather than damaging lives and properties.

Hurting people's sentiment will create such a fire that will be difficult to put off, he said, adding that it's also time for NGOs to show their true colours and prove they truly stand for social justice.

Sri Ravi Shankar regretted the inclusion of Swami Dayananda Saraswati's name in the FIR filed in connection with the desecration of the statue and said it amounted to violation of freedom of expression.

Referring to the recent violent protests in different parts of the country following the reported desecration of a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar, he urged people to adopt peaceful and non-violent ways of protest against injustice and corruption.

He appealed to youths from all communities to keep calm and not damage public properties in a fit of anger. People shouldn't get carried away by foolish acts of a few and damage the infrastructure of our country which will affect the poor people, Sri Ravi Shankar added.

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