Maharashtra: Probe sought into activities of Osho Commune

The Hindu/November 22, 2002

Pune -- Disturbed over construction of the new Osho Auditorium by demolishing the Buddha Hall, a rebel Oshoite and former spokesman of the Osho Commune International Swami Chaitanya Keerti, has urged the Centre to institute an inquiry into the issue.

Keerti, who was among the 21-member "inner circle" of late Bhagwan Rajneesh alias Osho, charged the present management of the Osho Commune in Pune of being responsible for the destruction.

The hall, which is being revered by thousands of Osho disciples, was being demolished by the management of Osho Commune International.

Keerti is now the Editor of "Osho World", a glossy magazine dedicated to the preachings of Osho, and a senior functionary of Osho Friends International.

He and other Oshoites were removed from the "inner circle" after the death of Osho.

"We have written letters to the Union Home Minister L K Advani, Union Minister of State for Tourism Vinod Khanna, and Maharashtra Minister Kripashankar Singh, to stop these destructive activities in the Osho Commune", he said.

"The present management of Osho Commune is responsible for the destruction", he said adding that this team was controlled by Osho International Foundation (OIF) based in Zurich, Switzerland, and operates from New York, US.