After hearing a petition in the Madras High Court, police raided Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation ashram in Coimbatore. The case was filed by the father of two girls who had taken Sanyasdiksha, invoking a habeas corpus plea. In response, the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister Stalin, deployed around 150 policemen to the ashram.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti raised concerns about whether such an extensive raid would occur at churches or madrasas, questioning the police’s actions against a Hindu ashram where girls have chosen a spiritual path. They argue that this raid reflects the Stalin government’s anti-Hindu stance and condemned it as highly objectionable in a Hindu-majority nation.
A tweet from HJS Karnataka stated, “When will the DMK-led Stalin government raid churches and madrasas in the same manner as the Isha Foundation? HJS condemns the action of the TN police as an attempt to tarnish the ashram’s image and appeals to the central government to initiate an inquiry.”
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and the Isha Foundation have made significant contributions in various sectors, enhancing India’s global reputation. The foundation conducts numerous social welfare activities across the country. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti expressed suspicion over the raid, suggesting that the ashram was treated as if it were a hideout for terrorists. They believe this action is a deliberate attempt to defame Hindu institutions.
Meanwhile, a Christian priest named Raghurajkumar, accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl for nearly two years, remains at large despite a complaint filed under the POCSO Act with Tamil Nadu police a month ago. This highlights apparent negligence by law enforcement in addressing the suffering of a minor, while simultaneously, the young girl has chosen to embrace sannyas, prompting a significant police operation involving 150 officers at the ashram.
This incident raises concerns about the Tamil Nadu government’s perceived bias against Sanatan Hinduism in favor of Christianity. Additionally, another priest, Benedict Anto from the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, faces allegations of abusing women. Despite numerous reports of sexual misconduct by Christian clergy in Tamil Nadu, the government has not conducted raids on these churches. Such actions reflect the stance of the Stalin government and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, which has controversially compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria. Consequently, the committee has called for a central government investigation into the alleged malicious actions against the Isha Foundation.
