The Coimbatore unit of All India Lawyers’ Union on Thursday filed a petition at the office of District Collector alleging illegal construction activities at Isha Yoga Centre where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit on Friday.
The petitioners alleged that recent constructions, including the statue of Lord Shiva at Isha Yoga Centre, have violated the norms of Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA), Forest Department and Town and Country Planning Department.
M. Anandhan, president of All India Lawyers Union, Coimbatore unit, said that Isha Yoga Centre was served notices for not obtaining no-objection certificate for a few existing constructions in 2002 and later served notices for sealing some of the buildings in 2012 and 2014.
“The new constructions are on fertile land for which NOC has to be obtained from various departments. The centre had obtained a permission from the District Collector for construction activities in 300 square metre where the statue has come up. The permission given by Collector itself is against HACA norms as it is a fertile land. Now, construction and land filling for parking and garden have been made in an area of over 9,000 square metre. It is a fertile land and catchment area of river Noyyal where constructions should not be allowed as per HACA norms,” said Mr. Anandhan.
He said that the association is also opposing the visit of Mr. Modi to the centre on Friday as this gesture would make an impression that the Prime Minister is recognising the ‘illegal activities’ of Isha Yoga Centre. Mr. Anandan added that a writ has been filed in Madras High Court opposing the recent constructions at Isha Yoga Centre for which the court has sought explanation from various government departments.
