KOCHI: Many inmates and students at the Yoga and Charitable Trust at Kandanad have left for their homes after a woman raised a scathing allegation she was held captive and tortured for 22 days at the centre. But painting a different picture, parents of inmates and local residents see little truth in the charges.
According to them, the institution which imparts spirituality classes and counselling to youths has a good reputation. They said it was after undergoing counselling here Kasargod native Athira, 23, who left home to embrace Islam, finally chose to return to her parents.
“It seems the charges are tit-for-tat for bringing Athira back to Hinduism. Athira had returned to her parents a few days ago. The Facebook posts by Athira about him went viral and this might have provoked the persons who wanted her to remain converted,” said Jayesh, a resident of Kandanad.
Around 44 inmates - 28 women and 16 men - have been staying at the Sivasakthi yoga centre, which imparts training in yoga and spirituality.
Terming the reports baseless, Biju from Vaikom, whose son is undergoing counselling at the centre, said: “My son was admitted to the centre after he failed to clear Class IX final examination. He was not interested in studies. But he has improved a lot after being admitted here. Earlier, my daughter’s sister used to attend classes here. There is nothing wrong with this institution,” he said. He said the institution was not involved in any kind of religious conversion activities.
Aparna, a parent from Vaikom, echoed a similar view. “My daughter, a BCom graduate, joined the institution one-and-a-half years ago. She always lacked confidence and used to get tensed up. But, Manoj sir’s training helped her overcome all these issues. She also lost body weight after practising yoga here,” she said. Later, her son was also admitted to the centre after he was found hooked to drugs. “Now he has quit using contraband,” she said.
charges denied
Refuting the allegations against the institution, Sruthi, course coordinator of the centre, said: “It is a report cooked up by a television channel.” We have valid registration and have produced all records before the police, she said. According to her, the complainant left the centre two months ago after completing counselling. “She was happy and had no grievance when she left the centre,” she said. Sruthi said they also want to unearth the conspiracy behind these allegations intended to malign the reputation of the institution. “We have lodged complaints with the police and court in this regard,” she said.