“You have no sense of responsibility. Do you think you have the liberty to say whatever you want?” asked the country's top environment court to spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, last week. The 60-year old who faced the wrath of several environmentalists and organisations last year, before he held a huge three-day cultural festival on the banks of the River Yamuna in Delhi, was on the receiving end of the court's wrath after blaming the government on Facebook.
In a post available to his lakhs of followers, Sri Sri said if the river banks were as damaged as was being said, it is the government and the court who should be blamed for they allowed the event. “If, at all, any fine has to be levied, it should be levied on the Central and state governments and the NGT (National Green Tribunal) itself, for giving the permission. If the Yamuna was so fragile and pure, they should have stopped the World Culture Festival.”
A team of experts have testified to the NGT that the event which was sprawled across 1000 acres, and included a 7-acre stage of musicians and dancers, had “completely destroyed” the riverbed. They stated that reversing the damage would take at least 10 years and about 42 Crores. A major row had erupted last year with activists asked for the Festival to be disallowed, however the NGT had claimed it to be too late to call off the event and fined the organisation 5 Crores. The event had opened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on stage next to Sri Sri.
In response to the court's strong rebuke the guru tweeted, “Those who say the Art of Living is irresponsible simply don't know us or have gained a sense of humour!” He added, “The truth is we have caused no damage to the Yamuna. When lies are exposed, it is shocking.” The organisation has contested the charges and claims it is committed to protect and preserve the environment.
