Kathmandu, January 11:

Behind bars and in tight security, 35 inmates of the central jail are attending spiritual classes including meditation while the rest continue to remain busy with the mundane.

Most of the inmates participating in the classes have been jailed either for cheating in course of seeking foreign employment or for peddling illegal drugs. Some are serving their term for murder.

The religious-minded have even set up a separate hall, fully decorated with religious posters spreading the message of moral good. They also spend time watching religious channels on television and preachings from well-known spiritual gurus through different CDs.

Acharya Shree Dhruv of the Universal Spiritual Centre has begun a three-day ananda pragya class for inmates of the central jail since Tuesday. The programme will continue till January 12.

Acharya Dhruv said such classes are being organised in prisons throughout the nation at the behest of the home ministry. “To some extent, this will help curtail violence in society,” he said.

Inmates said they are also receiving spiritual training regularly from the Brahma Kumari Raj Yoga Sewa Kendra since last month.

Participants demanded continuity of such programmes. “We feel we are at home when people from outside come here,” said Rajendra Shrestha of Hetauda, who is serving a term for trafficking drugs. Shrestha said that with initiation of spiritual programmes by organisations including the Universal Spiritual Centre their feelings are gradually changing. Another inmate Gopal Dayal of Baitadi said he has also found it very helpful.

“We have developed a different approach towards the world. It is helping us keep away from all kinds of frustrations that we used to experience earlier.”