Sri Sri Ravi Shankar serving interests of J&K separatists: VHP

Jammu: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Wednesday accused Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of serving the "interests of Kashmiri separatists" by not opposing the curtailment of the duration of the Amarnath yatra this year.

"Sri Sri Ravi Shankar seems to be interested in serving the interests of Kashmiri separatists rather than protecting the interests of the Shiv bhakts," VHP state president Ramakant Dubey said in Jammu.

Dubey claimed that several Shiv 'bhakts' burnt effigies of Ravi Shankar in 12 different areas in Jammu on Wednesday.

Sri Sri had said that there was no pressure on the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board on deciding the duration of the Amarnath yatra.

The spiritual leader had said in Srinagar on Tuesday that there was no pressure on the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board on deciding the duration of the Amarnath yatra, which was shortened keeping in view the safety of the pilgrims.

"There was no pressure from any individual or organisation on us. It was purely a logistical challenge to ensure the safety of the yatris," he had said in a statement.

The yatra calendar this year was fixed by the SASB on the recommendations of a sub-committee headed by Ravi Shankar.

"I want to ask Ravi Shankar and other members of the sub-committee why did they not raise their voice against the Board when it curtailed the two-month long Amarnath yatra to 39 days this year," Dubey said.

"The sub-committee is as responsible for the curtailment of the yatra, as is the Board," he added.

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