Is it true that two monks were being held captive in 2016?
No one is held captive at the Isha Yoga Center. Everyone is here of their own will, including the two monks involved who are adults aged 39 and 42. In October 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed these allegations against Isha Foundation, and at one point even observed that the motives behind the accusations seem dubious.

Ironically, the father and mother of the two monks had already filed a very similar case in 2016. These allegations were also dismissed by the High Court after due investigation, which stated that “there is no truth in the allegation, and that the detenues are staying at the Foundation on their own will.
Are many people disappearing/going missing from Isha Foundation?
No. The Tamil Nadu Police report shows that over 15 years, among 75 million visitors to the Isha Yoga Center, 6 missing person reports were made. Five reports were closed when the individuals were found safe. These reports were mostly due to visitors getting lost while returning home, miscommunication or phone issues. Only one report remains open, which was in fact filed by the foundation itself, for a person who had stepped out of the Yoga Center and was unreachable after a few hours. The foundation is actively following up with police and hopes for the individual’s safe return.
Is an illegal crematorium being operated in Isha Yoga Center?
There is no crematorium at the Isha Yoga Center. Since 2010, Isha has been designated by the Tamil Nadu government to manage 14 government crematoriums in towns and cities across Tamil Nadu. These crematoriums are managed in full compliance with the law.

Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Isha launched the "Dignity in Death" initiative, providing free cremation services at these crematoriums, to help families provide a dignified farewell to their loved ones. Volunteers and monks ensured these crematoriums remained operational, earning widespread respect.
Are women being molested and kidnapped at Isha Yoga Center?
No, women are not being molested or kidnapped at Isha Yoga Center. Isha prioritizes a safe, comfortable environment for all women volunteers, staff, visitors, and monks. Of the 75 million visitors to the center in the past 15 years, over 30 million were women. There have not been any reports of molestation or kidnapping in all these years. Also, in accordance with the government’s Social Welfare Department, the foundation has an Internal Complaints Committee, and is POSH-compliant.

There are some false claims of a case of harassment at the “Isha Center.” As per case details filed by the police, a doctor employed to conduct a medical examination as part of a free medical camp was accused of harassment. This camp was not conducted at the Isha Yoga Center. The case is under investigation, and the organization has extended full cooperation with authorities.
Has Isha Foundation encroached on forest land to build the Isha Yoga Center?
No, Isha Foundation has not encroached on any forest land. This was clearly stated in the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's Counter Affidavit number CFCIT/07/2013 filed in the Hon’ble Madras High Court and National Green Tribunal as well as in the Counter Affidavit filed by the Ministry of Environment & Forests and Climate Change, Government of India, before the National Green Tribunal.
For more details, read this.
Has Isha Yoga Center been built in an elephant corridor?
No, Isha Yoga Center is not built in an elephant corridor. This was clearly refuted by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's document CFCIT/07/2013 and again in 2021 in its response to an RTI regarding these allegations.
In fact, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department clearly says that there are no elephant corridors in the entire district where Isha Yoga Center is located (Coimbatore District). Isha Yoga Center was also not in any of the potential elephant corridors identified by the Gajah report, released in 2010 by the Elephant Task Force of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, India. Isha Yoga Center is also not located in any of the 88 elephant corridors identified by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in 2005, nor in the 101 elephant corridors it identified in 2017.
Read more details here.
Are there illegal constructions at the Yoga Center? Do all buildings inside the Isha Yoga Center have the required permissions?
There are no illegal constructions at Isha Yoga Center. Requisite approvals have been obtained for all the buildings.The Tamil Nadu Government clarified this in its response in 2021 to an RTI.
If you would like to learn more, please read this.
Has Isha forcefully taken over tribal land to build the Yoga Center?
No, Isha has not taken any land by force or coercion.
Is Isha compliant with all laws, including environmental regulations?
Yes, Isha complies with all the laws of the land, including environmental regulations.
Given the proximity of the Isha Yoga Center to the forest, has this led to any man-animal conflict, or disturbance to wildlife?
There is no man-animal conflict at Isha Yoga Center. Isha does not disturb wildlife nor would we ever want to. We live in harmony with nature.
What is the veracity of the claims against Isha in the 2017 CAG report?
There is no truth to any of these claims. We responded to and refuted the claims in the report. The report has been closed and withdrawn by CAG. Please read this for more details.
There are several rumors about the nature of death of Smt. Vijayakumari, Sadhguru’s wife. What is the actual truth?
Smt. Vijayakumari attained Mahasamadhi in the presence of hundreds of people. Mahasamadhi is the ultimate goal of a spiritual seeker. This culture is replete with stories of Yogis attaining this goal. Read this to know more.
Why is Adiyogi represented so extravagantly? Is it necessary?
The only extravagance about Adiyogi is the hard work that went into it, by all who have contributed towards building it. It is an entirely volunteer-led effort.

The iconic Adiyogi serves as an inspiration to human beings, to aspire for their ultimate wellbeing.
Have forests been cut down to erect Adiyogi?
No forest has been cut down to erect Adiyogi. The Tamil Nadu Governemnt's response to an RTI in 2017 clearly states that there has been no encroachment on forest land by the Isha Yoga Center.
Please read this for more details.
Does Adiyogi have required permissions from the Government?
Yes, Adiyogi has all the permissions required from relevant authorities, including the District Collector, Coimbatore, and the District Forest Officer, Coimbatore. 
Please read this for more details.
Why is Sadhguru not a simple traditional Guru? He’s flamboyant, wears expensive shawls, coolers, drives expensive cars and bikes & has an extravagant lifestyle.
What is ‘simple traditional Guru?’ For sure, he’s unconventional.

As a Spiritual Guru, Sadhguru wears a different avatar. As a golfer, he wears a different avatar. As a biker, he wears a different avatar. When he’s addressing the World Economic Forum or the United Nations General Assembly, he’s attired differently. When he’s with the youth, he’s different- as appropriate for the situation.

While Sadhguru likes and uses bikes and cars, he doesn’t own any of them.
Isha is seen as an elitist organization. Why do we see Sadhguru with celebrities all the time?
You see Sadhguru with celebrities because that is what the media chooses to highlight. For every celebrity Sadhguru meets, he meets millions of non-celebrities. Most of Isha’s work – both spiritual and social outreach – happens in rural communities but that doesn’t make for juicy copy. Learn more about our social outreach projects here.
Why is Mahashivaratri so commercialized? Why does it cost to attend Isha’s Mahashivaratri event? Can one attend for free?
It takes a lot of organizing and resources to offer Mahashivaratri to millions for free. A few hundred people pay to cover the expenses of conducting this magnificent night long celebration.

As per Pollstar’s report, in 2021, more people watched the Mahashivaratri celebrations through online channels, than the Grammy Awards.
Why are Isha programs so expensive? Should a spiritual process be so commercialized?
The spiritual process is always offered for free. It is the organizing of these programs that costs money, which is what the participants pay for.
Is Sadhguru a BJP supporter?
Sadhguru is a supporter of Democracy and of people’s mandate. He has worked successfully with leaders across the political spectrum. As he has said clearly many times, Democracy means we are not interested in who you are but in what you can do.
Does Isha issue ‘Donation’ receipts to evade tax?
Isha does not evade taxes. Currently, there is no tax on Yoga.
Is it true that Isha uses Laughing Gas to keep people happy?
Hahahaha (we’re really laughing). We’re usually on a different mood enhancer. It’s called Yoga.
We’ve heard Isha keeps people in coma and steals their kidneys. What do you have to say?
Really? And do what with all the stolen kidneys? Market them on our website? Get real.
Many things that Sadhguru says defy scientific laws. Why does he propagate Pseudoscience?
Sadhguru speaks of many things from an inner experience of Knowing. Even reputed scientists from top universities are acknowledging that there are phenomena beyond the understanding of science. Several scientists seek Sadhguru's perspective on many such subjects.
Is Sadhguru creating an environment of Islamophobia?
Absolutely not. Sadhguru’s mission is to enhance Human Wellbeing. He is an all-inclusive Guru whose offerings are beyond barriers of religion, caste, creed, gender & race.
Is Sadhguru a misogynist?
Anyone familiar with Sadhguru’s work and messages will know without a shadow of doubt that he is far from being a misogynist. His mission is about bringing a sense of all-inclusiveness to Humanity, so the question of misogyny doesn’t arise.