On 30th September, the Madras High Court passed a judicial order in response to a complaint filed by a father who alleged that the Isha Foundation had held captive his two daughters, Geeta and Lata, aged 42 and 39.
What were the accusations against Isha Foundation and Sadhguru?
The plaintiff accused the Isha Yoga Centre, run by Jaggi Vasudev, Sadhguru, of brainwashing people by converting them into biased followers of the institution. The father alleged that he, along with other family members, was not allowed to meet them inside the premises of the Isha Yoga Centre, which raised concerns about their safety and well-being. The Supreme Court of India intervened by condemning the directive and eventually pausing the intervention of the Madras High Court order that allowed the aggressive police action against Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation. CJI claimed that an army of 150-200 police officers can never be allowed to raid the premises of such an establishment.
CJI proposed that a judicial officer visit the Yoga Institution and speak to the women personally. Isha Foundation responded to the High Court directive by stating these accusations as false and misleading. The institution further claimed that the daughters were never persuaded or forced to stay at the centre, and their involvement in facilitating the cause of the institution had been entirely voluntary.
The daughters duly supported the claims made by the institution by stating that they had voluntarily taken part and had chosen to reside at the foundation of their free will. Both the daughters further accused their father of harassment, as he possibly did not prefer their celibate lifestyle and their role as a hermit without any family ties and social involvement.
“The Court has interacted with both the individuals. During the interaction, the individuals stated that both individuals joined ashram at the age of 24 and 27. We interacted with both of them and they say they are staying voluntarily and that they are free to travel outside the ashram,” – CJI Chandrachud
Impact of the raid and possible reasons for public outrage
The issue caused mass public outrage, and many have claimed that the Madras High Court did not order an action of this nature and did not instruct the deployment of 150-200 police officers to raid the institution without any preliminary notice or warning. Many have also claimed that the action by the Tamil Nadu Police Force was to tarnish the reputation of Sadhguru and also degrade the inviolability of the Isha Foundation, Coimbatore, which is home to many voluntary religious seekers who have been a part of this institution since for a long time.
The public response to the order also implicated the involvement of higher authorities and political influence, who possibly did not prefer the presence of Sadhguru and his actions to revitalize Hindi sentiments and facilitate mass spiritual awakening. The claims also supported the free-minded nature of the volunteers of the institution and how anyone, irrespective of their caste, history or nationality, was welcomed to participate in Yoga practices and spiritual awakening.
The followers of Sadhguru have also condemned the action by indicating how certain political institutions did not prefer Sadhguru’s approach of freeing Hindu Temples from government control. The public comments made by Sadhguru have claimed the systematic ruination of Hindu Temples at the hands of government authority. Sadhguru alleged that the temples serve as a source of revenue used for ill activities and unworthy causes. He proposed an alternative where temples were to be controlled and maintained by a trust that comprises devotees who would guarantee their safety and sanctity.
Now, such comments have served as an eye-opener, as people slowly became aware of the ill practices and ways in which Hindu temples are managed and maintained. This possibly has attracted the attention of people and institutions that favour temples being run and controlled by government bodies and do not prefer such sites to be in the authority of the public, mainly devotees. Many claim that the police action on 30th September is a part of a larger conspiracy as the intent was to discredit Sadhguru, his cause and his intentions.
The rapid action taken under the court’s order, which possibly did not order an action of this magnitude, indicates how Sadhguru came in the way of certain political authorities who allegedly did not support the rise of Hindi consciousness in the South. Videos surfacing the internet also claim that such an action would have never been taken against any other religious institution, as it would affect public morality and cause outrage, which would question the secularity of India and the presence of rights associated with freedom of speech and freedom of conscience under article 19 and article 25 of the constitution, respectively.
Is seeking spiritual growth a sin?
Not many will agree, but people with obstructive and stereotypical mentalities restrict women from seeking a spiritual life based on Hindu traditions and ideologies. Women are subjected to specific societal responsibilities which limit them to spiritual processes, which sometimes require strict discipline and a celibate lifestyle. Traditional mentalities symbolise women as individuals responsible for bearing children and following a married life where their ulterior purpose is to do what is being instructed to them by stakeholders of a patriarchal mindset. They are not allowed to follow or do what they want and are burdened with roles which affect their freedom of expression and their rights to be who they want to become based on their self-aspirations and motivations.
The two daughters, identified as Sadhvis who are female individuals following strict spiritual discipline, have every right to do what they want and follow whoever they wish to, per the guidelines of Article 19 and Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. The extensive talks about women’s empowerment signify nothing if the societal mind-set consistently opposes women’s rights both directly and indirectly. The daughters’ official claims about their voluntary involvement in the Isha Foundation are the most extensive evidence in this case.
Verdict
As controversial as it may sound, the topic has a simple connotation which implies how ill activities of spiritual gurus in the past have questioned the credibility and legitimacy of emerging spiritual teachers in India. Sadhguru, a prominent figure, have faced similar accusations over his legitimacy and viability in the past, but such claims have consistently failed to come out as facts in real life. Sadhguru, apart from being a spiritual guru, is a significant contributor to social and environmental causes. A few examples of his contributions and the contributions of the Isha Foundation as a whole include Action for Rural Rejuvenation (ARR), Project Greenlands, Isha Vidhya, Rally for Rivers – Cauvery Calling Initiative, Isha Outreach and so on.
All these initiatives aim to facilitate rural development, provide sophisticated education to the poorest of the poor, protect essential rivers that contribute to economic growth, provide mental and physiological well-being, provide yoga-related help to Indian and international audiences, and so on. So, the question surrounding the legitimacy of Sadhguru’s intent is obvious: to facilitate and support both social and economic growth. A reader needs to consider trusting facts over rumors as it ensures viability and justice to someone with a clear track record and limitless contributions to diversified societies and cultures nationwide.
FAQ
1. What were the accusations against Isha Foundation and Sadhguru?
A father alleged the Isha Foundation brainwashed his daughters and forced them to become celibate monks. He claimed they restricted his access to them, raising concerns about their safety.
2. How did Isha Foundation respond?
Isha Foundation denied the accusations, stating the daughters were there voluntarily. The daughters themselves confirmed this during a court appearance.
3. Why was there public outrage?
Many felt the police action (sending 150 officers) was excessive and politically motivated. Some believe it targeted Sadhguru’s views on Hinduism and social activism.
4. What is the current status?
The Supreme Court intervened and stopped the Madras High Court order allowing police action. The daughters’ statements seem to have played a role in this.
5. Is seeking spiritual growth a sin?
No, the Indian constitution protects the right to religious freedom. The daughters have the right to choose their spiritual path.
6. Is Sadhguru a legitimate spiritual leader?
Past accusations against him haven’t been proven. Isha Foundation’s social and environmental work suggests positive intentions.
