“If we keep damning ourselves, criticising everything, then why will the world look at us at all,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the controversial World Culture Festival of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living on the Yamuna floodplains. “India has the cultural heritage that the entire world looks for. We can satisfy that need of the world in some measure. But this can happen only when we take pride in this heritage.” Prime Minister Modi was present for about two hours at the event organised by Art Of Living foundation. He praised the work the foundation was “doing across the world” and likened the three-day festival to a “kumbh mela” of art. “When you look at a country through the prism of art, you realise the internal strength of that country.”
The festival ran into trouble after environmentalists protested against the fest on Yamuna plains. The National Green Tribunal fined AOL £50,000 ordering them to pay “prior to commencement of the event”. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the Art of Living Foundation to deposit the amount before March 11. The tribunal also slapped fine of Rs 500,000 on Delhi Development Authority and Rs 100,000 on Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for not discharging statutory functions. It also asked AOL to give an undertaking that enzymes will not be released into Yamuna river and that no further degradation of the environment will happen. Along with the fines, NGT also directed that a biodiversity park be developed in the entire area in question. “For the damage caused to the environment, ecology, bio diversity and aquatic life of the river, the foundation should be held liable for its restoration in all aspects,” the bench said.
NGOs and environmentalists had sought cancellation of the festival on the ground alleging it would seriously endanger the fragile ecosystem on the riverbed. Environment activist Anand Arya, rued that over 1,000 acres of the sensitive area between Delhi and Noida stand shorn of even a “single blade” of grass. Petitioner Manoj Mishra of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan questioned the “legality” of the event saying the area being destroyed “every moment” will take a long time to recover and slammed the organisers for the “lack of understanding” on their part.
Sri Sri had made his chagrin regarding the verdict clear saying he would rather go to jail than pay the fine imposed. He had also tweeted that AOL was not “satisfied” with the verdict of the NGT and would appeal against it. In the meantime, lawyers representing Sri Sri said it was difficult for them to pay £500,000 before the commencement of the festival and sought four weeks' time. The bench granted them three weeks saying if it did not pay Rs 2500,000 immediately, a grant of £250,000 given by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the event will be held “attached” or as surety till the foundation paid up. It took exception to Sri Sri's comments saying, “Certain statements have been made that which impinges on the rule of law and are capable of shaking the public confidence in administration of justice.” Adding, “If anybody hurts the image of the tribunal, he will be taken to rule of law. To maintain the dignity and majesty of the institutions, rule of law has to be upheld.” AOL's lawyers argued that Ravi Shankar had made the statements on going to jail in a different context and had no intent to disregard the conditions imposed by the tribunal.
Regarding the biodiversity park, the Art of Living foundation said it was committed. “We are working with environmental experts as per the directions to set up the biodiversity park at Yamuna floodplain. We are committed to cleanse the river and we will do it,” Akshama Nath, a lawyer of the AOL said. Regarding payment of the entire amount, she said, “Money is not the issue here. There is already enough in the account of various agencies but they are not bringing it to use. As far as we are concerned, we still have three-weeks' time for it. Whether we approach the Supreme Court or not is yet to be finalised.” The DDA has confirmed receiving Rs 2500,000 as the first instalment of the green compensation.
Several invited global leaders pulled out of the controversial festival, leaving the global cultural festival dry. Guest of Honour Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Nepal President Bidhiya Devi Bhandari, and former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, include those who cancelled their attendance. According to a statement issued in Delhi, “A number of leaders slotted for participation, including those from the host country” withdrew their participation.
