21 January 2016 - QA 8

Gurudev, it is legal to stone people to death? If some people bring up this point here, it is called intolerance. How come this difference?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Remember one thing - there are many people with many ideas, and many opinions, not all are correct and neither can you correct everyone’s opinions. And people have a right to express their ignorance!

Before Mr. Modi became the Prime Minister, there was such a storm in this country! How many people, even high intellectuals said that they would leave India if he became the Prime Minister. These are short-sighted opinions and understandings. I wish our high intellectuals had a little bit of intuition also, it would make them happier, and bring more sense to what they say. For posterity, and intuitive ability should be developed, not just intellectual blabbering. When there is intuition, what you say carries weight.

Some people are questioning as to why Gurudev said that the US Dollar will become Rs. 40. It is not what I said, it is what banks were saying at that time. Citibank said this, and I said that if a financial analyst is saying this, it is good for the country. Of course, these things cannot happen overnight. But we are going in the right direction, although this country has a long way to go. The intellectuals of this nation should put politics aside, come together and give concrete suggestions to improve the country.

What we need is a corruption-free society, development of every region, and of neglected parts of society. This should happen not only in India, but in every part of the world. Things are definitely improving; but there is still a long way to go.

All that is happening in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, is a matter of concern for everyone. We need to bring more tolerance in these parts of the world. All those who are talking about tolerance in this country, those who want to leave India, it is a good place to go, talk to people, and preach tolerance in these areas! We can make arrangements for them to stay, for food; let them spread their message of peace, oneness and tolerance that is needed today.

It is easy to create and to get into conflicts, it takes no time. In fact, just a few unintentional words will create permanent enemies. You may not even have the intention, just blabber something, and you could make enemies. But to make friends is altogether a different thing, you know what it needs!