In October 2022, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had inaugurated a ‘naga mantapa’ at the Chikkaballapur Centre – File Photo GPN
NATIONAL, 12 JANUARY, 2023 (GPN): The High Court of Karnataka on January 11, Wednesday, directed Isha Yoga Centre (IYC) and the State authorities to maintain status quo, as on Wednesday, on the nature of land and activities at IYC situated near Chickballapur till further orders.
The direction came In the wake of the news report of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar would be unveiling a new 112-feet tall ‘Adiyogi’ Shiva statue at the ‘Sadhguru Sannidhi’ centre, situated close to Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur district near Bengaluru run by Isha Foundation on Sunday, 15 January. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev would also attend the unveiling which will commence at 6 pm. The Chikkaballapur centre is the second major centre of the Isha Foundation apart from the one in Coimbatore.
However, IYC moved the court in the afternoon session seeking urgent hearing on the petition on Thursday 12th January by pointing out that the event could not be postponed.
The Isha Foundation said in a statement that a 21-day ‘ratha yathra’ was taken up near Chikkaballapur ahead of the unveiling ceremony, to invite residents of villages around the Sadhguru Sannidhi in Avalagurki to the event. Ahead of the Vice President’s visit.
The statement by IYC stated that the unveiling ceremony would be followed by a 14-minute light and sound show titled ‘Adiyogi Divya Darshanam’ mapping the statue, which will be held every evening thereafter. There will also be performances by students of Isha Samskriti, a school run by the Isha Foundation. Earlier in October 2022, CM Bommai had inaugurated a ‘naga mantapa’ at the Chikkaballapur centre.
Sadhguru who had performed a ‘Naga Pratishta’, the consecration of the Sacred Naga, at the Sannidhi in October 2022, will consecrate a ‘Yogeshawara Linga’ near the Adiyogi statue. The Sannidhi will also house a ‘Linga Bhairavi’ temple and two ‘Theerthakunds’ or “energized water bodies”, the statement said.
The Adiyogi statue in Coimbatore has been listed as an “Incredible India” destination by the Tourism Ministry. The statue has also been recognised by the Guinness World Records as the “largest bust sculpture” in the world, the foundation said.
Sources claimed a few farmers had protested the widening of roads connecting to the Isha Foundation centre, alleging that the way officials were carrying out the works was resulting in the loss of their land
The IYC counsel alleged that the petitioners have approached the court by suppressing several facts and stated that interim order would affect preparation under way.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Prasanna B. Varale and Justice Ashok S. Kinagi passed the interim order in the morning session on a PIL petition filed by Kyathappa S. and three others from Chickballapur, and adjourned further hearing on the petition by three weeks.
Though the Bench agreed to take up the petition for urgent hearing, it said that it cannot hear the petition on Thursday as requested by IYC’s advocate and posted the petition for hearing on Friday 13th January. The Isha Foundation told GPN that it will issue a statement after tomorrow’s hearing.
It has been alleged in the petition that several parcels of land, situated in the foothills of the famous Nandi Hills, were said to have been purchased by Isha Foundation and Isha Business Private Limited, and the government has transferred several parcels of revenue lands to IYC in violation of law.
Pointing out that construction works were carried on these lands by using huge machineries, the petitioners have claimed that the nature of construction and the proposed activities of IYC pose a serious threat to the environment and ecological system, including rivers around Nandi Hills.
The petitioners have contended that already a large number of vehicles reach the centre during the week, and with the installation of the idol, the IYC is set to witness lakhs of visitors resulting in demographic pressure and damage to flora and fauna.
Chickballapur district authorities have granted several permissions since 2019 for setting up IYC illegally, the petitioner have alleged while seeking a high-level inquiry against the officials.
Some parcel of government lands was handed over to the IYC for educational purposes but the land is being used for business purpose, the petitioners have claimed while terming the activities of IYC are “business” in nature.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Ecology, Karnataka Government, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Isha Yoga Centre are four of the 16 respondents.
The petitioner sought permission to make certain additions to the petition including a challenge to the March 2019 notification issued by the State government allotting land to the Centre.
The Court allowed this prayer and gave the petitioner one week to make the amendments.
At the same time, a response was sought from all the respondents and the case was listed for further hearing January 13.
Advocate M Sivakumar appeared for the petitioner, while advocate Pratima Honnapura represented the State.
Interestingly, a similar petition against Isha Foundation was dismissed by the Madras High Court, observing that it is an educational institute, since it engages in group development activities and operates a yoga centre.
Therefore, it is entitled to the exemption granted by the central government from needing prior environmental clearance for construction activities.
Be the first to comment on "Karnataka High Court orders status quo on use of land at Chikkaballapura near Bengaluru to newly set-up Isha foundation at base of Nandi Hills"