Centre asks states to beef up security of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

New Delhi, Jul 17: The Centre has asked all the state governments to beef up the security of Art of Living Chief Sri Sri Ravi Shankar whenever he visits their state as he is facing death threat from Jehadi militant groups.

In a communication, the Home Ministry told all states that Middle East terror group ISIS and Pakistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have issued death threat to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

In March this year, the Art of Living chief received death threats from the terror group ISIS while he was touring Malaysia.

In a letter to the manager of Hotel Jen, where the Indian guru was staying, the group warned that the hotel would be destroyed and he would be killed if he is allowed to carry out "Hindu activities" in the country.

The threat letter alleged that the guru claims himself "as non-religious" person but his organisation Art of Living has been "converting Muslims in Iran and Iraq". It is "meddling in Islamic affairs", it said.

The Home Ministry communication also said the Art of Living centre in Islamabad was set afire allegedly by the Taliban and the group threatened to kill him.

Mentioning the two issues, the Home Ministry told Chief Secretaries of all states on June 23 to beef up security of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar whenever he visits their state.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had visited Pakistan for three days in 2012 and inaugurated the centre of Art of Living on the outskirt of Islamabad.

At that time he had also offered to hold talks with the Taliban to usher in peace in the region, saying it would help foster understanding among people with divergent views.

PTI