Art of Living rejects allegation of land grabbing
By IANSTuesday, July 6, 2010
BANGALORE - The Art of Living (AoL) of spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Tuesday denied allegations that it has illegally grabbed 14 acres of land near its ashram in Bangalore.
The foundation issued details of 139.5 acres of land in its possession, following allegations that it has encroached 14 acres of land adjacent to its ashram complex off Kanakapura Road, about 25 km from Bangalore city centre.
The allegation was levelled by a don-turned-journalist after the foundation lodged a complaint that it received extortion calls demanding Rs.420 million.
The Art of Living said in a statement that it had bought the 14 acres of land, though the don-turned-journalist Sridhar claimed it belonged to Paul Fernandes, a builder, and has been grabbed by Ravi Shankar’s organisation.
The ashram bought the 14 acres of land in 2005 after giving a notice in local papers calling for objections. As no objection came for six months, the land was acquired, the statement said.
“Where is the question of land grabbing? We have always bought land at the current market value after checking all the legalities,” it said.
