Anandpur Dham, a well-known spiritual institution located in Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh, has once again found itself at the center of controversy following the circulation of alleged videos on social media. The development has intensified political reactions and brought renewed attention to long-standing allegations related to land ownership, administrative influence, and the functioning of law enforcement agencies.
The ashram describes itself as a major center of the Advaita philosophy and is home to nearly 1,000 resident devotees who come from different parts of the country. A significant number of them are young women. These residents are involved in running the ashram’s educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and social service programs. According to sources familiar with the setup, the residents include professionals such as doctors, management graduates, and trained teachers who contribute their services voluntarily.
Anandpur Dham operates as a largely self-sustained campus. Within its boundaries are agricultural lands, construction units, a large cowshed housing around a thousand cattle, temples, water bodies, internal fire safety services, private security personnel, extensive CCTV surveillance, and a helipad. The entire complex is reportedly enclosed by boundary walls.
However, tribal communities living in and around the area have for years alleged that the ashram was built by encroaching upon government land as well as privately owned tribal land. While unofficial estimates suggest the ashram controls close to 40,000 bighas of land, official records are said to acknowledge ownership of just over 10,000 bighas. Local residents claim that repeated complaints were submitted to authorities, but effective action did not follow, allegedly due to the institution’s influence.
Apart from land-related disputes, various allegations have surfaced over time against individuals associated with the ashram, including claims of criminal cases and violations related to cow protection laws. These allegations have remained contested and subject to legal interpretation.
The controversy escalated further in recent days after several alleged videos linked to the ashram surfaced online. Opposition leaders have cited these videos to level serious accusations, including claims of illegal activities such as exploitation and human trafficking. These allegations are currently unverified, and no official confirmation has been issued by investigating agencies.
Following the emergence of the videos, Ashoknagar’s then Superintendent of Police, Aditya Singh, reportedly initiated a preliminary inquiry into the matter. Soon afterward, Singh was removed from his position after allegations related to a conspiracy and bribery complaint surfaced against him. The decision triggered public debate, particularly among local residents and civil society groups.
Aditya Singh is known in the district for his community-focused policing approach. He frequently visited villages by bicycle to directly engage with residents, understand their grievances, and oversee solutions on the ground. His work had earned him recognition, and his removal has raised questions about the timing of administrative actions amid a sensitive investigation. Amit Malviya has since been appointed as the new Superintendent of Police.
The issue has drawn wider attention due to the prominence of Anandpur Dham. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended a public program at the ashram in April last year, adding political sensitivity to the ongoing debate. Social media platforms continue to witness polarized reactions, with growing demands for an impartial and transparent investigation.
As of now, authorities have not announced the scope or timeline of any comprehensive probe related to the alleged videos or land disputes. Legal observers emphasize that conclusions should be based strictly on verified evidence and due process, while ensuring that genuine concerns, particularly those raised by tribal communities, are addressed fairly and lawfully.