Bengaluru: After eight years of armed struggle, the leaders of United People’s Liberation Army (UPLA) opted to choose the path of democracy and peace. They took an oath on Gandhi Jayanthi at The Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru amidst the presence of 10,000 people.

Union minister of state for Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir, in his speech, praised and applauded the efforts of Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for furthering the cause of peace in Jammu and Kashmir and his initiatives to resolve the Ayodhya Ram temple fight in a peaceful manner.

Members of the UPLA present in the ashram included chairman, Sorjon Loeh Wellesly, general secretary, Songkim Engjai, publicity secretary, Harmon Phangcho, home secretary, Songsarpo Tungjang, foreign secretary, Mongve Senar and, finance secretary, Young Tungjang.

The UPLA members were accompanied by a delegation of over 35 members of the National Police Foundation of the US. Top cops, peace activists and scholars  from across India joined the event. Policymakers and defence personnel too attended the two-day World Summit on Countering Violence and Extremism organized by The Art of Living’s sister concern International Association for Human Values. 

During the two-day summit, the Brazilian government awarded Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with the title of ‘Friend of Military Police of Brazil’, as more than 1000 military officials have been benefited by the Art of Living’s meditation classes.

Earlier, a peace meet was organised in Srinagar, where Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was the main speaker. There were reports of a ruckus that played out where a section of the audience even left the venue. The Art of Living played a major role in facilitating training and helping Kashmiri youth outside Jammu and Kashmir with job placement. A thousand youngsters were said to be trained at their Bengaluru skill centre.