Bengaluru, 29 January (IANS). Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living on a stampede at Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj, UP, spoke to IANS on Wednesday. He said that this incident is tragic and such an incident should not have happened. No one can be held responsible for this incident.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar while requesting the devotees said that I urge you all that you should not think that you only have to bathe in the confluence on the same special day and time. Sangam is a sacred place and you can earn equal virtue by bathing here on any day. During Mahakumbh, you can go to bathe anytime. Therefore, there is no need to have any fear and apprehension.
He said that when ten crore people come together at one place, it is natural for such incidents to happen. However, the government had made better arrangements for the event, but due to excess of reverence, there was a stampede. He told that Kumbh Mela will run for one and a half months, devotees can take a bath on any day during this period. The misconceptions among the devotees about the importance of special day are wrong, special every day. In this festival lasting for 45 days, you go to bathe any day, the more virtue will be found.
He said that all arrangements have been made much better at the fair site, including food, cleaning, toilets and roads. On the question arising about the system after the stampede, he said that whenever such incidents happen, there is some criticism. But this time the system is far better than ever. We can say this 25 years ago compared to the stampede in Haridwar, where there was a lot of lack of system.
He further said that devotees should follow the system made by the government at the fair site and maintain restraint. If a person misses his responsibility, then it affects others. Therefore, everyone should bathe with restraint and understanding. It is our responsibility to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future. During this time, devotees should take a bath with full devotion and dedication as well as follow the law and order.
-IANS
PSK/CBT