PM Modi to unveil 112-ft tall Shiva idol in Coimbatore today amid controversy over Isha Foundation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a 112-ft tall lord Shiva idol or Adiyogi at Isha Foundation in Coimbatore on Mahashivaratri on Friday.

However, before the consecrate ceremony, questions have been raising on Isha Foundation, the foundation who built the idol, as it has been accused of violating environmental and building norms. Meanwhile, ten organisations have urged the Prime Minister not to participate in the function.

Tamil Nadu Tribals’ Association, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Samuga Neethi Katchi and a few other Left-affiliated organisations have said in a release that the Yoga Centre was on the catchment of River Noyyal.Veteran BJP leader L K Advani will be in Coimbatore for three days in connection with the unveiling of the 112-feet bust of Adiyogi at Isha Yoga Centre. 

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A petition has been filed in Madras High Court against Coimbatore based Isha Foundation for alleged violations in construction work, around the proposed 112 foot statue of Lord Siva, at Isha Yoga center, some 25 km from Chennai, for which large tracts of land have been acquired.

Petitioner Vellingiri Hill Tribal Protection Society a direction to Tamil Nadu government to restore wetlands by demolishing unauthorized construction allegedly put up by Isha Foundation at Ikkarai Poluvampatti Vilage, Perur Taluk. 

The Petitioner submitted that the hamlet comes under Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) as per a Government Order of April 22 1990.    It alleged that Isha Foundation had on February 22 2011 acquired 3.26 acres at the village. Later it had purchased another three acres in benami names in the same village.   

The foundation had begun work on a one lakh square foot building without due approvals from the District Collector, HACA, Fire and Pollution control Departments,the society said.The 'illegal construction' was being carried out using huge granite rocks and iron rods. Work was taking place even at night, scaring wild animals, which flee into cultivable lands, causing huge losses to people,the petitioner submitted.      

The society said it had exhausted all remedies available under law to redress his grievances and moved court as a last resort. 

(With inputs from PTI)