Isha Foundation refutes animal cruelty charge

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Isha Foundation has refuted the claims made by some animal rights activists accusing its founder Jaggi Vasudev, also known as Sadguru, of cruelty towards a rat snake, and claimed that he had handled the snake “gently” after it entered the Isha Yoga Centre premises in Chikkaballapur.

In a press release, Isha foundation has said: “A snake had entered the vicinity of the Isha Yoga Centre in Chikkaballapur, during the consecration event of a Naga Deity at the centre. For the safety of the snake and the people at the centre, a volunteer brought it to Sadhguru's notice.

He handled it gently and then told the volunteers that it be left safely in the nearby forest. The snake was not harmed, trapped or transported in any way as mentioned in the complaint.

The police present at the venue were aware of this incident.” Rat snakes are common non-venomous species found across the nation and are protected under Schedule 2 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act.

On Saturday, Prithvi Raj C N, a board member of SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), wrote to the DCF of Chikkaballapura accusing Sadhguru of illegally capturing a rat snake and displaying the reptile “under blazing lights on the stage in front of a crowd.” Ramesh BR, DCF of Chikkaballapura has said that an inquiry is underway.