New Delhi: Art of Living guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had approached the dreaded terror outfit Islamic State to change its ways and end its campaign of hatred and killing.
In an exclusive interview to UK's 'Independent', the spiritual leader said that dialogue alone with the Islamists would not succeed while the fighters believed "no-one else has a right to exist".
Asked how his peace-promoting philosophy could work to tackle such groups as Isis, he said: "Isis is very peculiar. I stretched my hand out to have a dialogue, but when these people think no-one else has a right to exist, talks alone will not work."
He added: "But once they are in prison maybe then we will be able to change their minds."
Born in Tamil Nadu's Panasanam, Shankar teaches spirituality for enhancing human values such as love, compassion and enthusiasm.
His organisation 'Art of Living' aims to bring people of all faiths and nationalities together. In the past, he has received death threats from groups such as the Taliban and Isis.
The spiritual leader was under fire for organising a massive event on the Yamuna floodplain earlier this month.
It has come under the scanner of National Green Tribunal after a set of petitions were filed demanding its cancellation over concerns of potential permanent damage to the riverbed.
