NEW DELHI: With just 24 hours to go for the opening of the controversial Sri Sri's World Cultural Festival, word is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plans to visit the event remain unchanged. The mega festival that will commence on the banks of river Yamuna, has found itself smack dab in the middle of a controversy as massive as its scale. Environmentalists and activists have objected to the environmental damage caused by the preparations of the cultural extravaganza.
Organised by the Art of Living Foundation, the cultural fest was given a go-ahead by the National Green Tribunal yesterday with fines and conditions. The foundation will have to cough up Rs 5 Crore as fine and, pay for the restoration of the area. Unhappy with the verdict, Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar tweeted, “We are not satisfied. We will appeal. Satyamev Jayate.” In the verdict, the tribunal noted that the “flood plains have been drastically tampered with, the natural flow of the river has been destroyed and reeds, grasses and natural vegetation on the river bed have been removed.”
Organisers have set up a seven-acre stage to accommodate over 35,000 artistes and visitors from over 150 countries. Several temporary bridges, ramps, mobile towers and a parking area are also built over a 1000 Crore area on the banks of the river. The foundation told the court that it has spent Rs 26 Crore. The three-day event will feature yoga and meditation sessions, peace prayers and cultural performances.
While President Pranab Mukherjee has already cancelled his attendance, sources say PM Modi will attend “unless his office says otherwise”. A separate enclosure is in the works for the PM to sit, near the gate.
In a rare sight, the Central government and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal agreed on the same thing as both refrained from politicising the issue. While the centre defended the guru saying his intentions should not be questioned, Kejriwal said “politics and controversies” should be “put to rest” after the court issued clearance.
