Debunking the Latest Attack on Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation

The 2025 Mahashivratri celebrations have just begun at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. This year's event is special due to the presence of political leaders from across the spectrum, including the Honorable Home Minister Amit Shah, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and several others

Whenever there is a major celebration at Isha, two groups of people start working overtime. While Isha followers begin preparing for the Mahashivratri celebrations several weeks in advance, another group starts working to disrupt the event by any means possible. This pattern has persisted over the past few years, and this time seems to be no different.

On February 24, a previously unknown journalist, Shyam Meera Singh, released a video titled 'What’s Happening in Sadhguru (Jaggi Vasudev)’s Ashram?' He begins the video with the sensational claim that what viewers are about to see has been hidden from the world until now. He then asserts that he possesses several internal emails related to the initiation process of minor girls into Brahmacharya. He claims to have personally investigated these emails and insists that everything he is about to reveal is based on evidence.

1/12 Allegation 1

He then shows a video that appears to show Sadhguru’s right foot over a woman named Bharati Varadarayan. He also highlights a vulgar, derogatory post made by a so-called activist, Piyush Manush.

2/12

Inauguration of a healthcare center with Islamic prayers and glorification of Hamas in Kerala

Kerala has always had a knack for making headlines, even if it’s for negative news. To cite a few examples, in recent years, the state has been in the news for having the highest number of ISIS recruitments, attacks on the Hindu faith by the ruling communists, blatant appeasement of certain minorities, and the targeted conversion of Hindu and Christian women, as depicted in the movie The Kerala Story.

The last few weeks had been relatively quiet for Kerala, but the state is back in the spotlight with two controversial stories in the last week.

1/7 Inauguration of Primary Health Care Center with Islamic Prayers

The first story is related to the inauguration of a Health and Wellness Center in Kayamkulam, a municipality in the Alappuzha district.

The inauguration took place according to Islamic rituals, with a maulvi offering prayers as per their custom. The event was attended by Mr. Saji Cherian, a senior communist leader. While the state government is run by the Communists, the Kayamkulam municipality is governed by the Muslim League.

Primary Health Care Centers are funded by the central government and operated by the state government. In short, these are government-run healthcare centers. Such a religious event should not have taken place at a government institution.

2/7

6,000 Arrested in UAE for Residency Violations; Deportation in Process: Why Are Indian Liberals Silent?

For more than a week, liberals in our country have been outraging over the deportation of Indian illegal immigrants by the US government. Following this incident, the EAM issued a statement clarifying that the deportation of illegal immigrants by the US is not a new phenomenon. He even provided details on the number of Indians deported by the US over the past 12 years.

Image Source: News 18

1/6 While some were outraged by the fact that they were deported, others were upset with the manner in which they were deported. There have been conflicting reports on this, with some news outlets suggesting that these immigrants were handcuffed during deportation, while others claimed that only those with criminal backgrounds or those posing a risk to public safety were handcuffed.

Regardless, right from the beginning I have been of the opinion that the manner in which an illegal immigrant is to be deported is a prerogative of the country deporting them. After all, these individuals entered the country illegally, which is a crime in most nations around the world.

2/6

Tamil Nadu Temple Bans Priests from Accepting Dakshinas, Sparks Outrage

Most of us are familiar with the strong aversion the ruling Dravidian party in Tamil Nadu has toward Sanatana Dharma. We have witnessed this on numerous occasions over the last few decades, particularly in the last 2–3 years since the current government came to power. Here is yet another news piece that reaffirms this.

This incident is from the Dandayuthapani Swami Temple in Madurai. On February 7, the temple administration, under the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department, issued a circular prohibiting priests from accepting offerings placed by devotees on their plates.

This is the translation of the order issued in Tamil:

'At the Thandayutha Swamy Temple located on Netaji Road in Madurai, priests should not take offerings placed by devotees on the aarti plate. They should only take the money and deposit it in the money box; otherwise, strict action will be taken.'

The order also entrusts the temple bellmen with the responsibility of depositing these offerings into the temple treasury.

1/10 Indu Makkal Katchi Condemns the Order

The order has sparked outrage among Hindu groups such as the Indu Makkal Katchi, which condemned it as blatant government interference in rituals integral to Hindu Dharma.

Solaikannan, the Madurai district leader of the party, expressed shock, stating that the priests at this temple receive no salaries from the TN HR & CE Department and rely entirely on the offerings placed by devotees for their livelihood. He further emphasized that the order is a direct violation of the Hindu Religious Endowment Act and warned that the party would launch a mass agitation if it is not immediately revoked.

2/10

The Growing Tensions in Thiruparankundram: What You Need to Know

On February 4, a sea of saffron descended on the southern Indian temple town of Madurai. In unprecedented scenes, thousands of protesters carrying saffron flags converged in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, yesterday, shouting slogans such as “Vetri Vel, Veera Vel, Kappom Kappom Skanda Malayai Kappom,” which translates to “Victorious spear, courageous spear, we will save Skanda’s mountain.” (Spear is Subramanya Swami's weapon)

Skanda is another name for Sri Subrahmanya, known as Sri Muruga in Tamil Nadu. Skanda also means “god of war.”

The protesters represented over 50 Hindu organizations, including the Hindu Munnani, the BJP, and the RSS.

1/10 What exactly were they protesting?

The massive protest was organized against alleged attempts by certain Islamist groups to take control of the historic Thiruparankundram hill gradually. The hill is famous for the Thiruparankundram temple devoted to Subramanya Swami and is the first among the six holy abodes of Sri Muruga (Sri Muruga is the Tamil name for Subramanya Swami).

In recent times, there have been alleged attempts to rename the mountain as Sikandar Hill, after the Sikandar Dargah, which is also located on the mountain.

2/10

Rebuttal to 'The Guru and the Politician: The Broken Spirit Behind the Spiritualism Industry'

Yesterday, I came across an article with a curious title in The Indian Express. This write-up, titled 'The Guru and the Politician: The Broken Spirit Behind the Spiritualism Industry,’ was published on January 8, 2025.

At a glance, I could tell it was a negative piece about the recent meeting between the Honorable Home Minister Amit Shah and Sadhguru, which took place on January 4th.

1/7 What was "controversial" about this meeting?

On the surface, this was a non-controversial meeting (see the image). The Home Minister and Sadhguru briefly mentioned their interaction on X. What could anyone possibly have against this?

I read through the article once and then again, checking if the author made any valid conclusions. Clearly, he didn’t. And if he was trying to, he failed miserably.

The article begins with a sarcastic tone, referring to Sadhguru as a 'celebrity spiritual guru' while mentioning that the interaction was about the 'role of Indian spirituality in transforming our society.' The author adds that such affinity between religious gurus and the political class "unsettles" him and makes him skeptical about the "spiritual industry."

2/7

Kerala Communists Target Temple Traditions Yet Again: Call for Abolition of Shirtless Entry in Temples

Do you know what the biggest political discourse in Kerala has been over the past week? At a time when the state is rapidly heading towards bankruptcy and unemployment rates are peaking, the Communist Party is worried about men entering temples shirtless.

They want this tradition to be abolished.

Amused? You should be!

1/7 It all started 5–6 days ago during the inauguration of the Sivagiri pilgrimage, attended by the Kerala Chief Minister and other politicians.

During the session, Swami Sachidananda, the president of the Sri Narayana Dharma Sanghom, which manages the Sivagiri Mutt, remarked that some of the temples under the Sree Narayana Trust still require men to remove their shirts while entering. He stated that this tradition needs to be abolished.

Let’s remember that he was referring to changing a tradition in temples managed by the Sree Narayana Trust.

2/7

Kerala Devaswom Board Violates Centuries-Old Tradition at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple

A couple of days ago, the Kerala state government-managed Devaswom Board violated a long-standing tradition at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple.

Udayasthamana Pooja is considered the most important and dearest of all poojas at the Guruvayur temple. For centuries, the Udayasthamana Pooja has been observed on the auspicious day of Ekadashi, also known as Guruvayur Ekadashi during the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam. This year’s Guruvayur Ekadashi falls on December 11th, 2024.

However, this year, the Devaswom Board deviated from tradition by scheduling the Udayasthamana Pooja on November 12th, citing concerns about managing increased crowds during the upcoming Sabarimala festival season in December.

1/5 Why the deviation?

The board's bizarre justification is that the festival would make crowd control difficult. They specifically mentioned that the 'nada' (sacred door of the deity) needs to be opened five times during the pooja, posing logistical challenges during the peak festival period.

The Guruvayur Tanthri (chief priest) vehemently opposed the change and approached the court against the Devaswom Board's decision.

While the court sought the board's response, the latter proceeded with the Udayasthamana Pooja on November 12th, bypassing the centuries-old tradition of conducting it on December 11th

2/5

What Is Waqf and Why Are You at Risk?

We have all heard about the #WaqfAmendmentBill_2024 introduced by the central government.

Many of us are also familiar with the frequent disputes that arise between Waqf boards in various states and ordinary citizens.

Recently, the Waqf board even laid claim to an entire village in Tamil Nadu, including a 1,500-year-old temple, which is older than the religion itself. But do we all know exactly what Waqf is?

For ease of understanding, let’s consider the story of a salaried man in four phases. Let’s say this is your story!

Read on!

1/8 Phase 1: Land for Your Dream Home

Let’s assume that you bought 10 cents of land from a Muslim seller for INR 50 lakhs. This is the money you saved over two decades with the dream of building a home on your land. You have paid the seller, prepared the title deed, registered the land, received the possession certificate, and completed all other related formalities.

The land now appears in your name on the Encumbrance Certificate, which is accessible online through the government portal. Once this certificate is issued, you can have peace of mind, as the land is officially yours. You now have all the documents needed to apply for a bank loan to build your home.

Keep in mind that banks have strict checks, and they thoroughly scrutinize all documents related to the land before approving the loan.

2/8

Kerala Poet Mocks Sanatana, Gets Paid Back in 3 Days

Kureeppuzha Sreekumar is a prominent leftist poet from Kerala, known for ridiculing Sanatana Dharma.

5 days ago, he visited the iconic Indian Coffee House near the revered Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple.

He then shared the attached image on his social media page.

Here is the translation of his post:

"A restaurant without a photo of Ganapati. I love Indian Coffee House!"

(On the wall, a photo of a Communist leader is also visible)

The post immediately went viral, with many criticizing him for such a post. Many mockingly commended him for going all the way to Guruvayur and for having food from a restaurant located in front of the famous temple!

1/4 2 days later, the health authorities raided the restaurant and ordered its immediate closure

The reason: A customer discovered a dead centipede (locally known as 'Pazhuthara') in their Masala Dosa order (see image).

2/4

Supreme Court Dismisses Case Against Isha Foundation

Supreme Court today closed the Habeas Corpus petition filed against Isha Foundation by a father of two monks who had alleged that his daughters were being held “captive” at the yoga center.

Today, the Supreme Court clearly stated that, based on their interaction with the two monks, they were convinced that the monks were staying at the Isha Yoga Center of their own free will.

Key points from the interaction include:

Voluntary Residency: The monks are voluntarily residing in the ashram.

Freedom to Leave: They're free to move out of the ashram at any time.

Participation in External Events: One of the monks recently participated in a 10 km marathon.

Family Contact: The monks are in regular touch with their parents.

1/5 What the Court Said!

The Supreme Court made it clear that the two individuals in question had reached adulthood when they joined the yoga center, and having expressed their desire to stay at Isha Foundation voluntarily, no further action is required in the habeas corpus case.

Essentially, the top court said that since these individuals are adults and have chosen to stay at the foundation of their own free will, there's no need for the court to intervene.

Additionally, the Supreme Court criticized the High Court's comments on unrelated matters, stating that they should have refrained from making such remarks.

2/5

The Story of How Nehru Threw Away Kashmir….well most of it!

A couple of days ago, there was a heated discussion in one of my WhatsApp groups. The group comprises mainly of old friends, but most of us follow different political ideologies. The discussion was about Nehru and Sardar Patel. I commented that had Sardar Patel been our first PM, the whole of J&K would have been part of India.

This was met with a lot of resistance and protest. But what amused me the most was a remark that the Pakistani raiders attacked Kashmir in October 1947 and that the instrument of accession was not signed until then. The person also said that once it was signed, the Indian army was swiftly deployed in the valley.

Seventy-seven years have passed since our independence. Do we really know how we lost a part of Kashmir?

Read on!

1/8 The Background

How many of us know that it was Mountbatten who delayed the Indian army deployment in Kashmir? At this point, you might ask a pertinent question: Who was Mountbatten and what was he doing in independent India?

Mountbatten was a British representative, and he was appointed as the first Governor General of independent India by Nehru and senior Congress leaders. Mountbatten and his wife were known to be close to Nehru and were said to have used this relationship to influence him on various matters. It is also said that Lady Mountbatten’s influence on Nehru may have led to some of his wrong decisions. Maulana Azad even mentions this in his autobiography.

Notably, Pakistan, which also became independent at the same time, had a Pakistani as its Governor General.

2/8

Nehru: The Pioneer of ‘EVM Hacking’

Yesterday, I thought I was making a harmless comment here when I said sarcastically that Nehru was the pioneer of ‘EVM Hacking’. I was only drawing everyone's attention to the fact that Nehru was chosen to be the first Prime Minister of independent India, despite the presence of other leaders who were more qualified than Nehru.

This comment was followed by remarks such as “WhatsApp Graduate” and “Show some respect,” etc. I was astonished that even in today’s digital era, there are so many who blindly believe that Nehru and his family are God’s gift to India.

It's unbelievable that so many of them still do not have a clue, about our real history. I therefore felt compelled to make this post about how Nehru became the first Prime Minister of our nation.

1/8 Sardar Patel Vs Jawaharlal Nehru

By 1945, it was clear that no one was better qualified than Sardar Patel to be the first Prime Minister of the nation. He had proved his mettle over two decades, spanning the 1920s and 1930s. He had successfully handled various agitations such as the Nagpur Agitation (1923), Borsad Satyagraha (1923), Bardoli Satyagraha (1928), and the Dandi March and Salt Satyagraha (1930), to name a few. He also played a leadership role in the preparation of the Quit India Movement in 1942.

In terms of academics, like Nehru, Patel also studied in England. The difference between the two was that while Nehru’s father financed his education abroad, Patel financed his education through his earnings. Additionally, while Nehru managed to complete his education, passing with a lower second division, Patel graduated at the top of his class in the first division.

Professionally, while Nehru struggled and was dependent on his father for his survival, Sardar Patel was a successful lawyer. By 1946, it was clear that Sardar Patel was the obvious choice to be the first Prime Minister of independent India.

2/8

What exactly did the PM say yesterday? Why are our “secular” friends so riled up?

#Thread #AbkiBaar400Paar

This is what the PM said:

“When they were in power, they said that Muslims had the first claim to the nation's resources. What does this mean? All this wealth will be distributed among those with more children.

The wealth will be distributed to illegal immigrants. Should your hard-earned money be given to illegal immigrants?

Do you agree with this? This is what the Congress manifesto says.”

Did the PM say anything wrong? Read on!

1/6 "M-slims have first claim to the nation’s resources."

PM is clearly quoting the comment made by Manmohan Singh in December 2006. The newspaper reports, as well as the video of Manmohan Singh saying it out, are available for anybody to check. (see the image.)

Manmohan Singh made this remark and PM Modi quoted this remark.

So, what are our “friends” protesting about?

2/6

Lines are Drawn for an Interesting Political Contest in the Kerala State Capital: Rajeev Chandrasekhar Vs Shashi Tharoor

#ModiAgainIn2024 #ModiKaParivar #Thread

Today morning, one of my ex-colleagues, who is not a Modi fan, texted me, telling me that the BJP is not serious about the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat. His point was that Rajeev Chandrasekhar was an unfamiliar face to Malayalis and was bound to lose to Shashi Tharoor.

My response to him was this: 'My friend, you seem to be underestimating the political acumen of the Malayali.'

1/6 Who is Rajeev Chandrasekhar?

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a Malayali settled in Bengaluru, may not have lived in Kerala, but he is well-known to Keralites as a Central minister and also due to his significant ownership stake in the Malayalam news channel, Asianet News.

Time and again, some of his video clips on various political issues have gone viral in Kerala, as well. Watch this short video clip to learn more about him.

2/6

Kerala College Festivals and Violence: What is the connection?

Look at this image. This is in Malayalam. I know most of you do not understand the language.

Regardless, what do you think this image is conveying? What does it remind you of? I was reminded of the 1921 Malabar riots.

To put it very politely and diplomatically, this image certainly does not convey a message of peace, does it? This is the poster for the Mahatma Gandhi University Festival 2023–24.

It says, "5 DAYS TO GO" for the festival

1/5 INTIFADA: Kerala University Youth Festival 2022–23

Now, take a look at this image. This is the poster for the Kerala University Youth Festival, which is scheduled to be held from March 7th to 11th, 2024.

What is written in small letters at the top translates to: 'Art’s resistance against invasion.' Don’t ask me what that means, what it intends to convey, or how it is relevant to an arts festival. I am not sure!

What is written in big letters, is this: "INTIFADA.”

2/5

George Soros and the Organization Behind India's Corruptions Index Placement at 93

A few days ago, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023 was published. As has been the case with several such indexes in the past, India was ranked as the 93rd least corrupt country in the world, out of a total of 180 countries. In 2022, the same report placed India at 85th. While the main opposition party in India and its supporters celebrated the 'fall' of the nation, left-leaning media outlets such as 'The Wire' reported this news with a lot of fanfare.

It's no secret that over the last 9–10 years, the central government has adopted several measures to eliminate corruption. Therefore, a low ranking of 93 must have come as a surprise to many of us.

Well, do not be surprised. There is one name that many Indians have grown familiar with these days. This is the name that time and again pops up whenever there's an attempt to portray the current Indian administration in a poor light. Yes, the name is George Soros.

1/8 About the report

For starters, it doesn’t take long to figure out that there is something terribly wrong with the rankings. Some of the countries placed above India on the list are African nations: Namibia (59), Benin (70), Ghana (70), Senegal (70), South Africa (83), Burkina Faso (83), and Tanzania (87). It is beyond any logic that these countries are shown as less corrupt than India.

2/8

Why is Rajnikanth Getting Trolled? Exploring the Reasons Behind the Criticism

As we all know, Superstar Rajnikant has become the latest target of the leftist ecosystem. His apparent crime? Bowing down to UP-CM Yogi Adityanath

What transpired?

A couple of days ago, Rajnikant visited Yogi Adityanath at his residence. Following this, a video of Rajnikant bowing down in front of Yogi Adityanath went viral.

Soon after, the toolkit gang started trolling him mercilessly. One handle commented, 'What a fall,' while a popular Kerala left-leaning handle tweeted a photo suggesting that 'equality' is when you shake hands with a person, and not when you bow down at someone’s feet.

Why do we greet a person with Namaskaram or Namaste?

Apart from showing respect to the other person, saying Namaskaram acknowledges the equality of all beings. It's a way of demonstrating respect to others regardless of their social status, background, or differences. Saying Namaskaram with both palms touching has several other spiritual reasons as well.

1/4

#Rajnikanth #YogiAdityanath #JailerHits500cr #JailerRecordMakingBO #Rajnikant @rajnikanth @myogiadityanath Who is Yogi Adityanath?

We all know that he is the CM of UP. But he is also the mahant (head priest) of Gorakhnath Matt in Gorakhpur, a monastery linked to the Nath tradition of Hinduism.

A Yogi in the Nath tradition refers to a practitioner who follows the path of yoga and meditation as a means of spiritual realization and self-discovery. Yogis in the Nath tradition are known for their emphasis on ascetic practices, physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation. They seek to achieve a state of union with the divine through their spiritual practices. The term "Yogi" signifies their commitment to the yogic path and their pursuit of inner transformation.

#YogiAdityanath #Rajnikanth @rajnikanth @myogiadityanath
2/4

Unraveling History: Did the Congress Truly Hold the Key to India's Independence?

Today, we are celebrating the 76th Independence Day. As expected, many handles belonging to the Congress and its supporters are highlighting how the Congress fought for India’s independence and… Reason Number One: British Economic Woes after World War 2

Let's remember that the British East India Company came to India with a simple objective: to loot India. This looting was highly successful in the early years, especially from the mid-1800s until the early 1900s. The…

Mocking Lord Ganapathi and its Aftermath: A Close Examination of Recent Events in Kerala

A few days ago, Kerala Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer mocked the Puranas, saying that Ganapathi and Pushpakavimana were myths (Related story is attached at the end)

#Kerala #Ganapathi

1/12 https://t.co/NoxNIFgLTPtwitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Shamseer is someone who follows all the rules mandated by his religion, praying five times a day.

He did not think twice before mocking a culture that gave his ancestors a chance to adopt the religion that he follows now.
2/12

Threatening Slogans and Communal Politics: Kerala

“Will hang you in front of the deity (nada/garbhagriha/sanctum sanctorum) and burn you alive, without Ramayana chants” – This was a highly provocative slogan heard during a M-league (IUML) youth rally in Kanjangad, Kerala… https://t.co/zTtkw5gB4ztwitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Communal IUML is a Part of the I.N.D.I.A Alliance

Remember that this is a party that is a part of the newly formed I.N.D.I.A alliance. Rahul Gandhi had given his stamp of approval on the "secular credentials" of IUML last month when he said, “IUML is a secular party.”… https://t.co/tiQIFnISsttwitter.com/i/web/status/1…