Indians living in constant fear, says spiritual guru Ravi Shankar

Kolkata: Attributing intoxication as the reason behind 90 per cent of crimes, spiritual guru Ravi Shankar on Tuesday said everyone in the country is living in fear.

"Everybody in the country - be it Hindus, Muslims or Dalits - all are living in constant fear. People are so apprehensive about their security. Ten years ago the situation in the country was not so," said Ravi Shankar.

Addressing a gathering in the city, he urged youngsters to join politics and said tough laws alone cannot prevent crimes.

Addressing a gathering in the city, he urged youngsters to join politics and said tough laws alone cannot prevent crimes.

"It is heartening to see that the youth have been standing up against corruption and crime. They must come forward and join politics to bring the country back on track. People have been demanding stringent laws, but laws alone or the government cannot prevent crimes unless the whole country awakens and stands up against crimes," he said.

He also asked the people to make the society free form the evil of intoxication.

"The Delhi gang-rape happened because the culprits were drunk. Ninety per cent of crimes happen because people get drunk. Unless the society is free from evils of intoxicants, no law will be sufficient," he said.

He was also critical about jails of the country, saying they were breeding grounds for criminals.

"After spending time in a jail, even petty criminal graduates to a bigger criminal. Jails have become breeding grounds for criminals. The need is to take recourse of spiritualism to reform them," he added.

On a five-day visit to West Bengal, which began March 1, 2013, the spiritual guru urged the people to donate at least one hour daily for the cause of the country.

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