JOIN USCops launch search for Nithyananda
After witnessing trouble for two days, situation in and around Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam Ashram near Bidadi remained tense but under control on Saturday.
A heavy police security is present at the ashram. According to sources, additional forces are being deployed there. Ramanagara and Bidadi police officers, including Assistant Commissioner Sneha and Thasildar Ravi, visited the ashram on Saturday to monitor the situation.
As per previous agreements, police are not admitted entry inside the ashram and devotees have been instructed not to leave the safety of the ashram in the wake of prohibitory orders.
Although sporadic violence had broken out at the ashram over the last few days, Saturday passed off peacefully.
Speaking to the media, Ramanagara Superintendent of Police Anupam Agarwal said that the police have formed teams to trace the Ashram leader, Nithyananda. “We are searching for him,” he said, adding that reports hinting of pressure not to arrest Nithyananda were false.
No bail for activists
Meanwhile, the Ramanagar Judicial Magistrate First Class Court refused to grant bail to 15 pro-Kannada activists on Saturday. In response, activists staged a flash protest in the prison complaining of discrimination as Nithyananda’s devotees had already been given bail on Friday night.
One of the activists, Raju, however, was granted interim bail as he was injured. Conditions of his release include his compulsory appearance in court on Monday.
Nithyananda, who still has not been arrested, sent a message to his devotees through his Dhyanapeetam website. He claimed to be travelling and on-tour.
“As you all know, I am away from the Bidadi ashram for the past one month after taking over as Madurai Aadheenam. I came to Bangalore for 1-2 days to take care of some important work and to clarify matters for the media though a press meet,” he said.
“I heard about the problems caused in the Bidadi ashram by the anti-social elements, but thanks to the timely intervention of the Bidadi and Ramangara police, all matters are under control.
I just have one message for both my devotees and for the anti-social elements who are doing this violence to us: Nobody can stop us from doing the good spiritual and social work that we are doing. Our charitable work will continue. Annadaanam will continue in all my ashrams wherever it is possible by law.”
“I have faith in the Divine, and in the law, and in the people of Karnataka. I know for sure that the Karnataka people are not opposing me, only the anti-social elements are doing this for their own vested interests and cheap publicity.
We cannot fight lawlessness with lawlessness. We will conquer lawlessness with law. Ultimately we will get justice,” he added.