Warring faction claims entry denied, Osho Commune points to rules
www.hindustantimes.com Pune News Published on Jan 19, 2023 11:44 PM IST
Some followers of Osho claimed that they were prevented by OIF from entering the Commune to offer their tributes at Osho’s Samadhi in Koregaon Park on his death anniversary
Osho devotees stage protest against Osho International Foundation after they were banned entry to the Samadhi place at Osho International in Pune, on Thursday.
PUNE:Some followers of Osho on Thursday claimed that they were prevented by Osho International Foundation (OIF) from entering the Commune to offer their tributes at Osho’s Samadhi in Koregaon Park on his death anniversary. The OIF management committee however pointed to rules saying all those who adhered to these conditions were allowed the access.
Denied entry into the commune, the devotees protested and termed the OIF’s action as ‘high-handed and dictatorial’. The agitating disciples claimed that on Osho’s death anniversary, several followers had gathered at the gate of the Osho International Commune at Koregaon Park to visit Osho’s samadhi and five other samadhis belonging to Osho’s parents and devotees. After they were refused entry, initially, they warned of an agitation on Wednesday although some of them were detained and released the same night by the police. The rebel devotees said that there is no prohibition on visiting Osho’s samadhi and that the Bombay high court (HC) order clearly states the same.
Swami Chaitanya Keerti, ex-trustee, OIF; editor, Osho World; and one of the old-timers who has been spearheading a legal battle against the OIF, said, “Despite seeking police protection and assistance in implementing the HC’s order of allowing disciples to visit Osho’s samadhi, the OIF management refused entry to devotees wearing the Osho mala, a mala given to followers by Osho himself during initiation into sanyas. And as per his directions, the tradition continued even after Osho left his body for over a decade.”