Columbian outfit will not return to violence: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Following the victory of naysayers in a referendum on a peace agreement signed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) with the South American country's government, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said on Monday that the outfit will not return to the gun but instead follow the Gandhian principle of non-violence.

In a statement issued after the referendum, the Indian spiritual leader said it takes some time to make people understand the pact and it has to be done with a spiritual touch.

"When one is in victim consciousness, it is hard to understand the benefits of forgiveness. One can only think of revenge and punishment," Ravi Shankar said.

Columbia President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leaders recently invited Ravi Shankar for the signing of the peace accord.

Last year, the Art of Living leader had met the two sides and convinced them to follow the path of non-violence.

"When the Art of Living took some victims of violence to Havana and made them sit with the FARC, the scenario changed. More such interactions would have helped but the time was too short," Ravi Shankar said.

Santos had promoted the 'Yes' campaign.

According to the official result, in the referendum to ratify the peace agreement between the Santos regime and the FARC, 49.8 per cent people voted in its favour while 50.2 per cent Colombians rejected it.

--IANS

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