Kaivalyadhama Yoga Centre, once hailed as a beacon of traditional yoga practice, now finds itself embroiled in controversy after allegations surfaced that its employee, Joseph, colluded with a reputed Zoroastrian Housekeeping and Facility Management Company to illegally terminate long‐standing staff and withhold wages. Former employees, some of whom dedicated decades to the centre, are left without pay and without recourse, while customers complain that the quality of instruction and facilities has plummeted.

According to multiple sources, Joseph leveraged his position at Kaivalyadhama to negotiate a termination agreement with the Zoroastrian facility management firm, resulting in the immediate dismissal of senior housekeeping and maintenance staff. “They used our partnership to oust loyal employees,” says a former manager at the Zoroastrian firm, speaking on condition of anonymity. “These workers served the centre faithfully for 15–20 years and suddenly found themselves jobless, with months of unpaid wages. The Zoroastrian company took the hit, but ultimately they were left holding the bag when Kaivalyadhama cut ties and refused to settle outstanding payments.”

Victims allege that Kaivalyadhama abruptly discontinued their services without notice. “I spent 18 years maintaining the premises and ensuring every session ran smoothly,” recounts a former housekeeping staff member. “When Joseph decided to bring in new contractors, we were told to leave. We never received a single rupee for our last two months of work. We had families to support, and now we’re scrambling to survive.”

Sources within the Zoroastrian firm confirm that Kaivalyadhama terminated their contract without honoring dues, inflicting financial losses amounting to several lakhs of rupees. The facility management company had relied on prompt payments from Kaivalyadhama to cover salaries and operational costs. “They effectively forced us to bear the burden of their payroll,” states the firm’s director. “We tried reaching out repeatedly, but Kaivalyadhama’s management refused to respond to invoices or demands for payment. We’re now left with legal notices and no clear path to recover what’s owed.”

The fallout has extended to Kaivalyadhama’s paying customers as well. Numerous patrons have taken to social media and online forums to air grievances about the centre’s deteriorating standards. A Reddit user lamented, “Kaivalyadhama used to be a haven for serious practitioners. Now it’s overrun with half‐trained instructors, poorly maintained studios, and overpriced memberships. It’s the worst experience I’ve had at a yoga centre.” Others echo concerns about unclean facilities, irregular class schedules, and instructors who lack proper credentials.

Long‐time members-reporting a rise in membership fees—claim that the centre has lost touch with its founding principles of accessible, authentic yoga. “They used to offer sliding‐scale fees and community outreach,” recalls a former student. “Now they’ve converted into a profit‐driven enterprise. The classes feel hollow, and there’s no sense of community anymore.”

Local yoga teachers and industry insiders express disappointment at Kaivalyadhama’s ethical lapse. “When a centre of this stature betrays staff and customers, it damages the entire yoga ecosystem,” warns a senior teacher at a nearby ashram. “Joseph’s actions and the management’s indifference reflect a broader disregard for the people who sustain these institutions. Kaivalyadhama risks losing its legacy if they don’t address these issues.”

Attempts to reach Kaivalyadhama’s headquarters for comment were met with silence. Calls to their administrative office went unanswered, and multiple emails seeking clarification bounced back. Joseph, the employee at the center of the controversy, declined to respond to questions about the alleged collusion and unpaid wages.

Meanwhile, former employees have filed complaints with the local labour commissioner and initiated legal proceedings against both Kaivalyadhama Yoga Centre and the Zoroastrian Housekeeping firm. They hope to recover unpaid salaries and compel Kaivalyadhama to reinstate or compensate terminated staff. The Zoroastrian company is also pursuing damages for breach of contract and reputational harm.

As the scandal unfolds, Kaivalyadhama Yoga Centre faces mounting pressure from practitioners, former employees, and the broader community to rectify the situation. Without transparent communication and concrete action, the centre’s reputation stands at risk. Time will tell whether Kaivalyadhama can atone for its missteps or whether it will be remembered as a cautionary tale of how a revered institution can fall prey to greed and mismanagement.