Mobiles, bags barred from Osho meditation centre

PUNE - As part of fresh security measures in the wake of the Pune bombing that killed 11 people, mobile telephones and bags can no more be taken into the Osho ashram’s meditation centre here.

But the Saturday terror attack has not affected the normal buzz at the Osho international resort. Thousands of disciples, mainly foreigners, are visiting the centre. The peak travel season will end in March.

However, everyone is aware of the increased security guidelines enforced by the authorities. Commandos armed with sophisticated weapons stand guard at the main gate.

Bags are now checked carefully at the main gate. But bags and mobile telephones cannot be taken into the pyramid-shaped Buddha Hall where most meditations take place during the day and in the evening.

To reach the Osho resort from the Main North Road, people now have to take a long detour because a part of this road has been blocked by the security forces.

Security personnel are also checking all houses - mostly flats - in the surrounding area.

Details of owners, tenants and paying guests are being collected. A large number of these flats have been rented out to both Indians and foreigners.

On Saturday evening, a powerful bomb concealed in a backpack exploded at the iconic German Bakery in Pune’s leafy Koregaon Park area, not far from the Osho resort.

The bombing killed 11 people and injured about 60. Among the dead and injured were foreigners, including an Italian woman who had come to Pune to be at the Osho centre.

The German Bakery, which was destroyed in the attack, was hugely popular with both foreigners and young Indians.

Meanwhile, Osho disciples have urged the Indian government to protect Osho centres in the country.

“It is something really terrible and very shocking that innocent people lost their lives at the German Bakery, which was always frequented by international tourists. It was a heinous act of terrorism,” they said in a statement.

“It is unfortunate that the terrorists could strike near a place known for spirituality, meditation and peace.

“Osho disciples and centres request the immediate action of the Indian government to take all necessary measures to provide for total security of the ashram,” the statement said.

Osho meditation centres in India are also located in Dharamshala, Dehradun, Shimla, Indore, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pondicherry, Karnal (Haryana), Bhimtal (Uttarakhand), Rishikesh, Guwahati, Amritsar and Chandigarh.