The Art of Living Foundation chose to hold the World Culture Festival on the Yamuna floodplains in spite of being aware of the environmental, legal consequences, letters exchanged between it and the Delhi Development Authority show.
It refuted the allegations that its three-day mega event had damaged Yamuna floodplains and hinted that it may approach the Supreme Court against the NGT's order which asked it to pay Rs 5 crore as compensation.
Amidst allegations of land grabbing, the Art of Living has decided to come clean and explain in detail as to how the land owned by it came into their possession in the first place.
The NGT, however, refused to impose any further environment compensation on the AoL.
The tribunal said the AOL has been engaging in multiple litigations in order to not pay the fine.
The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday directed the principal committee, constituted for rejuvenation of Yamuna, to inspect the site on river floodplains where a three-day festival was organised by Art of Living under the patronage of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
The water resources ministry told the NGT panel it has not granted permission for 'World Cultural Festival' being organised by Art of Living foundation.
The observations came after advocate Sanjay Parikh, appearing for petitioner Manoj Misra, informed the bench about Ravi Shankar's recent statement blaming the government and the NGT for permitting his NGO to hold the World Culture Festival on the floodplains of river Yamuna.
However, the NGT expressed its displeasure over the spiritual guru's statement that he 'will go to prison but not pay the fine' and said such a statement was not expected from a person with such high stature.
The expert panel has suggested that there would be two components of rehabilitation plan -- physical and biological, and they would cost Rs 28.73 crore and Rs l3.29 crore respectively, besides additional ancillary expenses.
The stage is now set for the controversial three-day cultural event opening on Friday on the Yamuna flood plains even as Art of Living guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar struck a defiant note that he will not pay Rs 5 crore fine imposed by Green Tribunal and would rather go to jail.
The allegation comes a day after AoL stated it had received extortion calls demanding Rs 42 crore, failing which the institution would be defamed.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar speaks about the land-grabbing allegations, the Swami Nityananda sex scandal and his interaction with Naxal leaders.
In the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, the Art of Living Foundation will offer free trauma relief workshops for Mumbaikars from December 1.These sessions will be conducted in South and Central Mumbai and will be open to all.
The tribunal also refused to give an urgent hearing on a fresh plea seeking stay on the three-day event on the banks of river Yamuna from Friday, alleging that AOL has not taken permissions from the competent authority as directed by the tribunal.
Founder of the Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, visited Iraq to meet with Iraqi political and religious leaders and to oversee AOL's initiatives in the strife-torn country.
'Youth love to be free. They don't understand that habits like drinking and smoking are addictions which result in bondage,' says Bhanumathi Narasimhan, director of Women and Child Welfare programmes, Art of Living Foundation.
The spiritual guru responds to Sheela Bhatt/Redifff.com's quick-fire questions with prompt answers.
The guru described the Central government and the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi as "intelligent" for supporting the event.
The green tribunal noted that the Art of Living would have to pay a Rs 5 crore penalty and develop the entire area into a biodiversity zone.
Seen as one-of-its-kind event, the festival offers a platform for spiritual and religious leaders, politicians, business leaders, peacemakers and artists to spread the message of global peace and harmony in diversity.
Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra had written a letter to the defence ministry requesting the army to build an additional pontoon bridge, which he said was "imperative" for safer movement of people while crossing the Yamuna to attend the 'World Culture Festival'.
He claimed that his foundation has already received invitation from Australia, Mexico and other nations for holding the next edition of the event.
'Does the government help ordinary citizens like you and me with our marriages, birthdays and anniversaries?' Rashme Sehgal reports on the controversy over the the Art Of Living Foundation's plans for a cultural festival on the Yamuna floodplains.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances