Karnataka HC Permits Isha Foundation To Unveil Adiyogi Statue Near Nandi Hills; Directs Status Quo On Construction Activities

Karnataka High Court today (13 January) allowed Isha Foundation to go ahead with the unveiling ceremony of the Adiyogi statue, at its new centre at Chikkaballapur, on 15 January.

The event will be presided over by Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Dhankar will unveil Adiyogi — a replica of the one at Isha Yoga centre, Coimbatore — as per schedule, said Isha Foundation, as the court granted it permission to do so. The event will see Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in attendance.

Karnataka High court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) questioning the construction activities that the foundation had been carrying out near the Nandi hills, and had directed the foundation to maintain status quo earlier this week.

The order was passed in a PIL petition calling into question the proposed construction, that the petitioner, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, claimed was 'illegal utilisation and exploitation of the land for the purpose of business'.

As reported by Bar and Bench, the petitioner contended that the government has allowed the Isha Yoga Centre to damage the ecosystem in ​​Nandi Hills through violation of environmental laws. This would have a direct impact on the lives of people and wild animals in the area, it prayed.

The High Court, today (13 January), while permitting the conduct of the unveiling ceremony, though, directed that the status quo be maintained in relation to the construction it is carrying out.

As reported by Live Law, agriculturists Kyathappa S of Chikkaballapura Taluk had filed the petition saying the 'authorities have "allowed" the Isha Yoga Centre to destruct and deface entire ecosystem, environment and natural rain water streams, water bodies, water feeder streams in foothills of Nandi Hills and Narasimha Devaru Range (Betta)'.

They contended that this was in 'utter violation of environmental laws and that it has direct impact on the living, livelihood, cattle, sheep, forest animals in the region'.

It also alleges, as reported, that deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner, tehsildar, Chikkaballapura Urban Development Authority, have passed illegal orders contrary to the statutes, to favour Isha Yoga Centre.