SPCA files complaint against Sadhguru for showcasing live rat snake at event

CHIKKABALLAPUR:  The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has filed a complaint with the Deputy Conservator of Forest on Saturday against well-known spiritual leader and founder of Isha Foundation, Jaggi Vasudev, for showcasing a live rat snake at an event held at the Isha Yoga Centre in the district on October 9.

Jaggi Vasudev, founder of the Isha foundation (file photo)

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Health Minister Dr Sudhakar also participated in the programme.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Health Minister Dr Sudhakar participated in the programme

Jaggi Vasudev showcased a live rat snake during the Nagamantapa installation programme. A few days later, a video of Jaggi Vasudev holding a live snake went viral on social media.

Following the video, Prithvi Raj C N, a SPCA board member, filed a complaint with the Deputy Conservator of Forests on October 15, mentioning the illegal rat snake trapping, transporting and displaying.

According to the complaint, Jaggi Vasudev violated the Wildlife Protection Act. The rat snake is listed under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. He was displaying an illegally captured snake which was inappropriately housed for many days. The act constitutes an an offence under the Act and violators are liable to the highest penalties. The snake was showcased under blazing lights on the stage at the crowded event. The snake was not handed over to the wildlife authorities till the date of complaint, Prithvi Raj said.

The Nagamantapa Prathishtapana programme was held in Chikkaballapur district

He also requested the department to book a case and to take immediate action against Sadhguru of Isha Foundation to rein in such mindless destruction of wildlife.

Following the complaint filed by Prithvi Raj, the Isha Foundation released a clarification not over the allegations of violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. Isha claimed that the entire sequence is misinterpreted in the complaint. A snake had entered the Chikkaballapur Centre and Sadhguru handled it gently and released into forest unharmed, the  Foundation claimed.

In its defence, Isha Foundation 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, which was brought to the notice of Sadhguru by a volunteer. In view of public safety, Sadhguru handled it gently and then asked that it be left safely in a 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, it said.

To remove any misconceptions about snakes and to promote their conservation, Sadhguru mentioned at the event that a snake is a gentle creature and should not be hurt. Sadhguru also said that snakes have unnecessarily been seen negatively, though they don’t harm human beings unless attacked, as a human being is not its food. He mentioned that the number of people who die of snake bites are much lower than those who die from other causes like automobile accidents, but people have such a big fear of the snake which is totally unwarranted, the Foundation said in a press release.