A police report submitted to the Supreme Court in response to a habeas corpus petition alleging illegal confinement at Sadhguru's Isha Foundation found no evidence to support the claims. However, the report highlights concerns over the functioning of internal mechanisms at the foundation and documents cases of disappearances and suicides over the past 15 years. The report also details a case of alleged sexual assault at the foundation, raising questions about its safety and oversight policies.
Unveiling the Complexities of Sadhguru's Isha Foundation
Background
The Isha Foundation, founded by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, is a spiritual organization headquartered in Coimbatore, India. With a global presence, the foundation promotes yoga, meditation, and other practices for spiritual well-being. However, recent allegations have cast a shadow over its operations.
Allegations of Illegal Confinement
In 2021, a habeas corpus petition was filed in the Supreme Court of India alleging illegal confinement at Isha Foundation. The police report submitted in response found no evidence to support the claims of confinement. However, the report raised concerns about the functioning of the foundation's internal mechanisms.
Disappearances and Suicides
The police report documented cases of disappearances and suicides linked to the foundation over the past 15 years. These cases have raised questions about the oversight and support systems within the organization.
Alleged Sexual Assault
The police report also detailed an alleged sexual assault that occurred at the foundation. The report raised concerns about the safety and oversight policies in place and the handling of such incidents within the foundation.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What are the allegations against Isha Foundation? Allegations include illegal confinement, disappearances, suicides, and sexual assault.
2. What is the foundation's response to these allegations? Isha Foundation has denied the allegations of illegal confinement and sexual assault.
3. What are the police findings? The police report found no evidence of illegal confinement but raised concerns about the functioning of the foundation's internal mechanisms.
4. What is the status of the investigations? Investigations are likely ongoing, and further developments may emerge.
5. What are the implications of these allegations? The allegations raise serious questions about the safety, oversight, and accountability within the foundation. They also underscore the importance of transparent and ethical practices in spiritual organizations.
Conclusion
The allegations against Isha Foundation highlight the complexities and challenges faced by spiritual organizations. It remains essential for such organizations to uphold transparency, accountability, and ethical standards to foster a safe and supportive environment for their followers. Ongoing investigations and discussions will shed further light on the foundation's operations and practices, enabling informed assessments and necessary reforms.
The Supreme Court closed the cases against spiritual leader Sadhguru's Isha Foundation, where two women had alleged illegal confinement. The court stated that the proceedings should not be used to malign people or institutions. The case was filed by a professor who claimed his daughters were "brainwashed" to stay at the Isha Yoga Centre run by the foundation. The court had previously paused the Madras High Court's order to probe the allegations.
In a major win for spiritual leader Sadhguru, the Supreme Court has dismissed a habeas corpus petition against his ashram, Isha Yoga Centre, made by a retired professor claiming that his two daughters were being held captive and brainwashed there. The court deemed the allegations "completely inappropriate" and cited the women's statements that they were living in the ashram voluntarily. The apex court criticized the malafide intent behind the petition, calling for more responsible use of the court's time. The court also stated that closure of the case would not affect any regulatory compliances, such as the requirement for an internal complaint committee in institutions with women and minors.
In an interview with ANI, Congress MP Kumari Selja addressed speculation of discontent with the party's decisions in the Haryana elections. She reiterated her loyalty to the party and expressed concerns about ticket distribution processes. Selja also reflected on her long career with Congress and asserted the importance of respect within the party.
In response to a recent surge in hoax calls about bombs on Indian flights, the Centre is contemplating amending The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982. This would enable stricter measures to be taken against disruptors, whether they make the calls from inside the flight or on the ground. This move comes after more than 30 hoax calls were received by airlines in the past five days, leading to disruptions in services and concerns for passenger safety.
The Israeli Defense Forces have released drone footage allegedly showing the final moments of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. The video shows a man sitting inside a damaged apartment, believed to be Sinwar, and throwing a stick at an approaching drone before the building collapsed. Israeli leaders are celebrating his death as a victory and a turning point in the fight against Hamas in Gaza.
A fast-track court in Uttar Pradesh sentenced a Muslim youth to life imprisonment for illegally converting a Hindu woman to Islam through marriage and fraudulent means, a phenomenon known as "love jihad". The court's 42-page order stated that the main objective of love jihad is to establish dominance over India through demographic war and international conspiracy. This case sheds light on the ongoing debate about the prevalence of love jihad and the potential consequences if it is not addressed by the Indian government.
Hoax bomb threats continue to plague domestic airlines in India, with multiple flights receiving threats for the fourth consecutive day. Authorities have suspended or blocked about 10 social media handles for issuing these threats, while Air India and other airlines have taken necessary precautions to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu is looking into amending regulations for strict action against those responsible, as investigations have revealed the involvement of individuals, minors, and pranksters in these threats. The Royal Air Force was forced to escort one of the flights to its destination, and common phrases and words used in these fake threats have been identified by security agencies.
After communal violence erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district during a Durga Puja immersion procession, local authorities have been taking steps to restore peace and normalcy. Internet services have been restored and police are urging residents to prioritize communal harmony and ignore false information spread through social media. A recent wolf pack sighting has also caused panic among locals in the area.
The National Conference (NC) leader, Omar Abdullah, took oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Along with five other ministers, the NC government made efforts to ensure equal representation from both Jammu and Kashmir provinces. In his first address, Omar made it clear that his government will work towards bridging the gap between people and the administration, and prioritizing balanced political representation. Despite facing criticism for not including the Congress in the government, senior Congress leaders and other political leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi guaranteed his support and cooperation for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir under Omar's leadership.