Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation released a statement on On Wednesday, addressing recent controversies, clarifying that the organization does not influence personal decisions such as marriage or monkhood.
Personal Freedom and Individual Choices
“Isha Foundation was founded by Sadhguru to impart yoga and spirituality to people. We believe that adult individuals have the freedom and wisdom to choose their own path. We do not ask people to get married or take up monkhood, as these are personal choices,” the foundation emphasized in their statement. The organization further added that the Isha Yoga Center is home to thousands of people who are not monks, while a few have voluntarily chosen Brahmacharya or monkhood.
Despite this, the petitioner had requested that the monks be presented before the court. “The monks have presented themselves before the court and clearly stated that they are staying at the Isha Yoga Center of their own free will. Now that the matter is in court, we hope truth will prevail, bringing an end to the unnecessary controversies,” the statement continued.
Legal Inquiry and Police Visit
This clarification followed a visit from a team of 150 police officers at the Isha Foundation as part of an investigation initiated by the Coimbatore district superintendent of police. The inquiry came after the Madras High Court instructed the Tamil Nadu government to submit details of all criminal cases registered against Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s institution.
The directive was issued while the court was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by S. Kamaraj, a retired professor from Coimbatore. Kamaraj claimed that his two daughters had been “brainwashed” to live at the Isha Yoga Center and were being prevented from maintaining contact with their family.
Isha Foundation Denies Allegations
In response to the petition, Isha Foundation denied any allegations of promoting monkhood or encouraging people to marry. “We believe that adult individuals are capable of making their own decisions regarding their life paths,” the foundation reiterated.
The foundation highlighted that some individuals, including the petitioner, attempted to trespass on its premises under the guise of a fact-finding mission related to the construction of a crematorium. Isha Foundation stated that it had filed a criminal complaint regarding the incident.
Court Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
The High Court has placed a stay on the submission of the final police report. Isha Foundation asserted that, apart from this issue, no other criminal cases are pending against the organization.
“Anyone spreading false information about the foundation will face strict legal consequences,” the statement concluded, reiterating its commitment to addressing any misinformation or legal challenges in accordance with the law.