Satyam Yogi, a wealthy and powerful yoga guru with an international following is accused of grabbing land of Dalit, Minority communities in India’s Allahabad – the city of world’s largest religious congregation Kumbh Mela.
Satyam Yogi is a well known guru with a huge global clout. He has a center in Ontario, Canada which is called Kriyayoga Fellowship Temple. His website also says that the yogi has followers in Australia and US – countries that he visits regularly, giving discourses on yoga.
In 2008 both the farmers who were made homeless and the village council went to the court against the yogi. In 2009, the local court has ordered demolition of several structures built by Satyam yogi. Some buildings were also sealed off by the administration on court’s order. But the yogi opened the seals and continues to use the buildings. His armed guards have also reportedly threatened those farmers who haven’t given up their land yet.
Surprisingly, the media has been completely silent on the whole issue. As a result the land grab went unreported until Ajeet Bahadur – an IndiaUnheard community correspondent shot a video unearthing the scam.
While shooting the video, Ajeet first tried to speak to Satyam Yogi at this yoga center which is called Kriyayoga Research Institute. But he was denied an interview. Before he left the yoga center, the armed guards at the center also threatened him by saying “People in this country disappear every day. Tomorrow it could be you.” Later, 4 of these same guards followed Ajeet in a car around the locality all through his shooting, marking him. But despite this direct and indirect threats, Ajeet was determined to complete his video. However, there is a chance that once this video is published, he may be targeted by Satyam Yogi’s hired gunmen.
But Ajeet was determined to expose the crime, despite the threats. He has been extended support by Video Volunteers, the producer of IndiaUnheard program.
You can watch this video by clicking here