Several disciples of Osho Rajneesh wearing malas forcefully enter his Pune ashram, one held for violence
(By Nadeem Inamdar Mar 22, 2023 10:36 PM IST)
Tension prevailed at Osho Commune on Wednesday as over 300 disciples of late spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh wearing sanyas malas forced their way into his ashram in Pune in protest against the purported plans by the management to sell the Ashram land.
On Wednesday afternoon, the followers belonging to the rival Maroon Army faction barged into the Osho International Meditation Centre (OIMC) located in Koregaon Park. Police officials were stationed outside the centre.
Assistant commissioner of police (Cantonment Division) RN Raje said that tension prevailed between the two groups of Osho’s followers. “The OSHO International Foundation (OIF) management which manages the affairs of the commune had given permission to the opposite camp to enter the premises for one day. However, the group wanted to get inside the Ashram on Wednesday which was not allowed by the management. This led to some of the disciples getting angry and resort to rioting.”
“One of the protestors became violent and tried to physically assault the police. He has been taken into custody and an FIR is being lodged,” said Raje. The rival camp, however. has denied that man belonged to their group.