Yamuna bank show: Sri Sri not happy with NGT verdict, to appeal

"We are not satisfied with the decision, we will appeal. Truth always wins," he tweeted Wednesday night. 

 

He said "we had begged for some land on the banks of Yamuna from Delhi people to sweep it and create magic and bring the world there.". 

 

The NGT while imposing fine has permitted the Foundation to go ahead with its festival on the Yamuna flood plains here.

The Tribunal will mention an additional fine later, reports said.

Giving details of the event, the spiritual guru tweeted: "172 international dignitaries comprising current & former Heads of State, Ministers & Members of Parliament are attending #WCF2016."

"Around 20,000 guests from 155 countries are arriving. Let India welcome them to #WCF2016 with one voice & our traditional hospitality," he said.

 The Opposition on Wednesday put the government on the mat in Parliament over the issue of spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's mega cultural event.The Art of Living founder urged parties to not politicise it.

Leading the attack, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Rajya Sabha member Sitram Yechury said it is "highly irregular that army has been summoned to assist in a private event" as he referred to pontoon bridges being built by the defence men.

"Can it be done," asked Yechury.

Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav said the government should immediately stop the programme.

Congress lawmaker Ghulam Nabi Azad while attacking the government for using army, said he is not against the cultural festival but what about "environment, biodiversity and ecology of this country."

The World Culture Festival organised by Sri Sri will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The event also raised a row over Indian Army personnel being deployed to construct pontoon bridges for the mass festival of the religious guru.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also questioned the Environment Ministry if the alteration of the floodplains requires the ministry's clearance or not, according to reports.

The NGT has also posed some tough questions to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which had earlier given permission for the holding of the event, reported a news channel.

Art of Living's lawyer Akashama Nath argued that they got the permission of 30 departments and ministries for the event and they have not done a study on environment because they have not been asked for it by the ministry.  

The event, which will be held from Mar 11, is planned on Yamuna floods plains of Delhi.

Saying the event might cause damage to the Yamuna ecosystem, several NGOs and environmental activists have moved the NGT.

President Pranab Mukherjee will not attend the festival following the controversy.

According to the  Art of Living Foundation website: "The World Culture Festival 2016 is a celebration of The Art of Living's 35 years ofservice to humanity, spirituality and human values. It will take place on March 11-13, 2016 in New Delhi, India."