I am a devout Hindu and come from an orthodox family that visits and stays at the Sivananda ashram - Divine life society regularly and I firmly believe there is something divine about the place.
But that in no way gives me or anyone else the right to demand everyone else think the same way and pretend that having an Italian restaurant in Rishikesh amounts to desecration of holy land. This is a dirrect attack on individual freedom.
The next thing u know, this crowd would demand all visitors to Rishikesh walk bare foot. And if u extend their logic a bit further..... the Himalayas are sacred so no one may drive vehicles around!!! And pants and shirts are alien to Indian culture so no one may wear them. Only dhoties and saris allowed. Oh and of course TV is a western product and makes u forget ur indian roots so cut down on TV and radio and newspapers. Sounds familiar !!!
This is the INDIAN what the Taliban did in Afghanisthan.
I luv Rishikesh for what it stands for....everything that is spiritual and divine. And I would probably not visit this italian restaurant..whaever its called. But people that luv other aspects of Rishikesh have their rights ... and I respect them.
