Draft:Maharaj ji
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Acharya Ashutosh Ji Maharaj
[edit]Acharya Ashutosh Ji Maharaj | |
|---|---|
 Acharya Ashutosh Ji Maharaj conducting a prison yoga session | |
| Occupation(s) | Yoga teacher, spiritual reformer |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Organization | Panchwati Yogashram |
| Known for | Yoga-based prison reform in India |
Acharya Ashutosh Ji Maharaj is an Indian yoga teacher and reformer who pioneered yoga-based rehabilitation programs in prisons, including Tihar Jail and various jails in Haryana and Uttarakhand. He founded Panchwati Yogashram and has worked to integrate yogic practices into criminal reform.
Initiatives in Prison Reform
[edit]Tihar Jail Programs
[edit]In 2015, to mark the first International Day of Yoga, Acharya Ashutosh Ji led a mass yoga session in Tihar Jail. Over 10,800 inmates participated, which was recognized by the Limca Book of Records.[1]
He introduced a year-long yoga teacher training course (YTTC) for inmates. 180 prisoners enrolled, and 108 became certified yoga instructors. In 2017, a yoga studio was opened in Central Jail No. 3, where these inmate-trainers conducted IDY sessions with over 14,000 participants.[2]
Rupantaran Yatra (2016)
[edit]In a unique 14-day project called the **Rupantaran Yatra**, 18 convicted inmates were taken to Haridwar without police escort, where they lived a traditional Gurukul lifestyle, practicing yoga, Vedic rituals, and meditation.[3]
Expansion to Other Prisons
[edit]In 2018, a 45-day YTTC was conducted in Gurugram Jail in partnership with India Vision Foundation. Fifty-four inmates from 19 prisons were trained as yoga instructors.[4]
These initiatives were later replicated in Neemka, Mandoli, Faridabad, Haridwar, and Naini Jails.
COVID-19 Service
[edit]During the COVID-19 pandemic, Acharya Ji facilitated the distribution of masks, sanitizers, food kits, and oxygen cylinders to inmates and the general public. He was recognized by Delhi’s District Administration and CM’s office.
Media Coverage
[edit]Ashutosh Ji’s reform programs have been widely covered in:
- *Vice News* – “From Prison Inmates to Yoga Warriors”[5]
- *Deccan Herald* – “Fortnight by the Ganges brings change of heart for prisoners”[6]
- *Firstpost* – “Delhi’s jail inmates find rehabilitation through meditation”[7]
- *The Times of India* and *The Asian Age* – On his involvement in yoga for prison reform
Philosophy and Legacy
[edit]Acharya Ji promotes a philosophy of “To the inmates, for the inmates, by the inmates,” focusing on internal transformation through yogic practices. His work emphasizes rehabilitation, not punishment, and encourages post-release self-reliance through vocational and spiritual training.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "18 Tihar convicts return from yoga session in Haridwar". The Times of India. 2016-10-04.
- ^ "From Prison Inmates to Yoga Warriors". Vice. 2016.
- ^ "Fortnight by the Ganges brings change of heart for prisoners". Deccan Herald. 2016-09-28.
- ^ "54 prisoners attend 45-day-long course, turn yoga trainers". The Times of India. 2018-07-22.
- ^ "From Prison Inmates to Yoga Warriors". Vice. 2016.
- ^ "Fortnight by the Ganges brings change of heart for prisoners". Deccan Herald. 2016.
- ^ "International Yoga Day 2017: Delhi's jail inmates find rehabilitation through meditation". Firstpost. 2017-06-21.