Guwahati: The videos of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev driving an open safari SUV in dark through a woody area with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah seated beside him emerged on social media.
Shortly later two activists based in the state complained the police against the trio for entering Kaziranga National Park, violating the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 that bans tours inside the national park after a scheduled time, according to NDTV.
Activists Soneswar Narah and Prabin Pegu, complaining to the Golaghat district police, sought action under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that there was no violation, adding that the warden can give permission according to the wildlife law.
No law, Sharma told reporters, stops people from entering the area at night; and added that the tourist season will be very good for Kaziranga following the formal opening of the park for the season alongside the arrival of Sadhguru and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Assam's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, MK Yadava said the forest department invited Sadhguru and the Chief Minister.
Yadava said Sadhguri and the chief minster were not enjoying safari in the park at night. There was no way the trip could be cancelled because it was getting dark, he said.
Sadhguru's Isha Foundation said in a statement that it believed all the necessary permissions were taken by the government since the spiritual leader was invited by the government.
Sadhguru, Sarma and Baruah were criticized on social media for driving inside the national park beyond the scheduled hours.