In the name of God and his men

In a new turn of events, the Delhi government said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living foundation did not seek any police or fire safety clearance for their mega cultural event.

The event, which is going to be held on the banks of the river Yamuna, has attracted lot of criticism as it is going to be organised on flood plains.

The Art of Living foundation said they had all necessary permissions to hold the event. "We have used only eco-friendly material like wood, mud, cloth, and scaffolding towards building a temporary stage," the foundation said in a statement.

A petition was filed with National Green Tribunal, seeking cancellation of the three-day World Culture Festival.

The petition questioned the Environment Ministry "-If somebody has to alter the floodplains, don't you think it requires your clearance?"

However, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar claimed that they would create a biodiversity park. “I have not let anyone cut even one tree,” he said.

The festival, which is likely to be opened by PM Narendra Modi, is expected to draw 3.5 million people to the banks of the River Yamuna.
President Pranab Mukherjee was also supposed to attend the event but cancelled it.

(Image: Indiatimes)