Bansri Shah, Pune
A team of 150 police officers raided the Thondamuthur ashram of the renowned Isha Foundation, headed by the spiritual leader, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, on Tuesday. This action comes in response to the Madras High Court’s order for a report outlining all criminal cases filed against the foundation.
The police have conducted inquiries with several residents of the asharam, acting on the court order. They have also looked for details about a case filed against a doctor working in the foundation under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The controversy began when a retired professor, Dr. S. Kamaraj, filed a habeas corpus petition against the foundation that stated that his daughters, Geetha Kamaraj (42) and Latha Kamaraj (39) were being held at the ashrama, without their consent. His claim is that the organization has brainwashed them, cutting them off from their family.
The court acknowledged these concerns, questioning the lifestyle promoted by Sadhguru. Justices SM Subramaniam and V Sivagnanam noted inconsistencies in his teachings, pointing out that while Sadhguru’s daughter is married and settled, he encourages young women at the ashram to renounce worldly life, shave their heads, and live as ascetics.
A spokesperson at the Isha Foundation confirmed that a team led by the district SP was on the premises, conducting an inquiry at the ashram but clarified that there were no searches taking place. They added that the team was questioning residents and volunteers to understand their lifestyle and how they join and live at the ashram.
According to the foundation, the two women in question have clearly stated that they are residing at the Isha Yoga Centre of their own free will. They stressed that adults in the asharam have the freedom to choose their own paths, whether it’s marriage or monkhood. They further expressed their confidence that, with the court involved, the truth would come to light and the ongoing controversies would be resolved.
The foundation pointed out past attempts by the petitioner and others to trespass under the pretext of investigating a crematorium being built by the organization. The Madras High Court has since stayed the submission of the police’s final report on the complaint against Isha Yoga Center residents.