Coimbatore: The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to submit a report by February 24 regarding alleged violations of pollution norms by the Isha Yoga Centre during its annual Maha Shivaratri celebrations in Coimbatore. A division bench of Justices S. M. Subramaniam and K. Rajasekar issued this order while hearing a petition from S. T. Sivagnanan, a resident of Semmedu in Coimbatore. The petitioner sought to stop the event, scheduled for February 26 and 27, unless proper sewage treatment and disposal facilities were set up.
Sivagnanan alleged that the Isha Yoga Centre had been discharging sewage onto his farmland, violating pollution norms and previous court orders. He also raised concerns about: Loud music and dancing by nearly 7 lakh people, exceeding noise limits. Extremely bright lights after sunset, disturbing the environment. The event being held in Velliangiri, close to the forest, affecting wildlife. He urged the court to ban loudspeakers without proper permissions and to limit the gathering to 3,000 people.
Senior Counsel Sathish Parasaran, representing Isha Yoga Centre, dismissed the allegations, calling them a result of personal animosity. He denied any violation of pollution norms. The court has adjourned the case and will review the TNPCB’s report on February 24 before making a decision.
