Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

'Religious intolerance only on TV': Sadhguru says no major riots in past 10 years in India

The Isha Foundation founder recalled his graduation days when communal violence incidents were considered “normal”.

'Religious intolerance only on TV': Sadhguru says no major riots in past 10 years in India

Founder of Isha Foundation Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said that there is a "lot of heat" in television studios, which is being exaggerated to suggest that there is rising religious intolerance in the country while underlining that the last one decade has been free of major communal violence.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the spiritual leader spoke of his college days, saying that "major riots took place in the country" while contrasting with the past 10 years "when no major communal riots took place in the country".


Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev recently arrived in India after covering a 30,000-km lone motorcycle journey across 27 countries as part of his 'Save Soil' campaign.

"I think we tend to exaggerate things quite a bit. Yes, there are a few issues which have come to debate and there is a lot of heat on television channels. You don't see it anywhere on the street. You walk across Delhi or any village in the country, there is no such intolerance or such violence or anything," Sadhguru said when he was asked about the claims of the rising religious intolerance in the country.

He strongly advocated action against people involved in violence while underlining that there's "exaggeration" about the heat in the tv studios on discussions on issues with religious undertones.

"There are some consensus issues where there are some debates going on. They are all in a court of law. You should allow the law to go its way. But now once you get the momentum, people are excited to go all over the place and in case, there is an election or something in the area, people use that to do these things," he added.

Sadhguru's comments came close on the heels of violent incidents reported from Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Recently, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has claimed that there are rising attacks on people at places of worship in India.

The Isha Foundation founder recalled his graduation days when communal violence incidents were considered "normal".

"But I feel these things (communal violence) have come down significantly in the last 25 years. When we were in university, there was not a single year when there was no major communal riot in the country. Every year, there used to be somewhere, major (riots). I have not heard (of communal violence) in the 5-6 years atleast or maybe 10 years. You have not heard of such things. Some flashpoints have happened, unfortunately. But large communal violence, as we thought as normal for this country to face, you are not hearing that which is a very positive thing," he added.

Sadhguru further stated that there are people who are looking for trouble all the time. "I think that the law should contain these people because, in all the communities, people want to take care of their lives, they want to educate, find jobs, and make a good living. Above all, women in their families want to live well. They don't want their men to be bickering and quarrelling... They don't have time and patience nor do they intend to have in that direction. Such elements are there everywhere," he said.

When asked whether he confronts questions about secularism in India, the spiritual leader stressed that "some people with their own vested interests talk about it but the word India commands much more respect now than ever before".

"A lot of people think Indian elections are the most fantastic thing in the world. In the USA, they don't trust their own election system. They think our system is lousy and India is doing great. This is the common refrain that I hear.

There are few people with strong views because of their own vested interests who talk about this and that. But generally, I think the word India commands much more respect now than ever before," he said.

Courtesy: ANI

More For You

Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

Officials greet newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government Sushila Karki (R) as she arrives at the prime minister's office in Kathmandu on September 14, 2025. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

NEPAL’s new interim prime minister Sushila Karki on Sunday (14) pledged to act on protesters’ calls to end corruption and restore trust in government, as the country struggles with the aftermath of its worst political unrest in decades.

“We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” Karki said in her first address to the nation since taking office on Friday (12). “What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality. We will not stay here more than six months in any situation. We will complete our responsibilities and hand over to the next parliament and ministers.”

Keep ReadingShow less
UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

US president Donald Trump and UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer arrive at Trump International Golf Links on July 28, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland. (Photo by Jane Barlow-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

THE British government has announced over £1.25 billion ($1.69bn) in fresh investment from major US financial firms, including PayPal, Bank of America, Citigroup and S&P Global, ahead of a state visit by president Donald Trump.

The investment is expected to create 1,800 jobs across London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester, and deepen transatlantic financial ties, the Department for Business and Trade said.

Keep ReadingShow less