Isha Foundation Case: A battalion of 150 police officers launched a search operation at the Isha Foundation ashram in Thondamuthur on Tuesday (October 01). Earlier, Madras High Court had sought report on all the criminal cases registered against Isha Foundation. After that this action was taken.
According to the Indian Express report, three DSPs were also involved in the search operation conducted by the police. A senior police officer said that the operation is focusing on thorough checking of prisoners and searching the rooms of the foundation. This team was led by an officer of the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police of Coimbatore.
What did Isha Foundation say?
Responding to this development, Isha Yoga Center said that whatever was happening was only an investigation. Issuing a statement on behalf of the Foundation, it was said, “As per the order of the court, the police including the SP have come to Isha Yoga Center for general investigation. “They are interviewing residents and volunteers, understanding their lifestyle, understanding how they come and live, etc.”
What is the matter?
The court, while hearing the petition filed by retired professor Dr. S. Kamaraj, had ordered the Coimbatore Rural Police to investigate and file a report. Dr. S Kamaraj had claimed that his two daughters Geeta Kamaraj (42) and Lata Kamaraj (39) have been kept captive in the foundation located in Coimbatore. He alleged that the organization was brainwashing people, turning them into sadhus and limiting their contact with their families.
Madras High Court raised questions
The court questioned the apparent contradictions in the life of religious leader Jaggi Vasudev, founder of Isha Foundation. Justices SM Subramaniam and V Sivagnanam asked whether Sadhguru, as Jaggi is known among his followers, whose own daughter is married and well-settled, should encourage other young women to shave their heads, renounce worldly life and practice yoga. Why are people being encouraged to live like monks in the centres?
What did Dr. Kamaraj’s daughters say?
When Kamaraj’s plea said that his two daughters were kept against their will at the organization’s yoga center located in the foothills of Velliangiri in Coimbatore, both the women present in the court said that they were staying there of their own free will and had Denied any kind of compulsion or detention.
Although Kamaraj’s daughters insisted that their stay in Isha was voluntary, Justices Subramaniam and Sivagnanam were not entirely convinced. Justice Sivagnanam remarked during the proceedings, “We want to know how a person who got his daughter married and established her well in life, would encourage others’ daughters to shave their heads and live a life of recluse. Why is he doing it? This is the doubt.”
POCSO case also mentioned in the petition
The petition also mentions the POCSO case against a doctor working in the foundation. The order said, “The petitioner has personally submitted that recently a criminal case has been registered under POCSO against a doctor, who is working in the same institution. The allegation against the said person is that he molested 12 girls studying in a tribal government school.”
Despite the statements of the daughters and the defense put up by the Isha Foundation, the court took the case a step further and directed Additional Public Prosecutor E Raj Thilak to submit a comprehensive status report by October 4. The report is expected to include all criminal cases pending against the foundation.