Questions and Responses to Sri Sri’s World Culture Festival

A case has been filed against the ‘World Culture Festival’.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. (Photo: The Quint)

Between 11 and 13 March, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will host the ‘World Culture Festival’ on the floodplains of river Yamuna in Delhi. The Quint brings you a list of points raised by several people, and how Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and concerned personnel have responded to them.

Concern #1: Dumping of Waste and Levelling of Plain

Construction, which has flattened an area of more than 1,000 acres is of a huge concern for activists. There have been reports of construction waste being dumped not too far from the river. Research was conducted by committees appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The report also suggested that the flood plain had been levelled and cleared to make space for the festival venue. The NGT recommended that the Art of Living Foundation be fined Rs 120 crore to restore the ecosystem following the extensive damage caused to the flood plain. Restoration would have to be completed within one year.

Response:

Denied claims.

Lawyers working for the Art of Living, say the site chosen for the festival was already damaged before construction began. In a letter to the Delhi Development Authority dated 14 December 2015, also shared with The Quint, the organisation notified the DDA that there was debris already on the site before construction started, and offered to have it removed.

Excerpt from a letter to the DDA from the Art of Living dated 14 December 2015.

Art of Living builds the World Culture Festival terrain on the Yamuna flood plain (Photo: Siddharth Safaya)

Concern #2: Damage Due to Footfall

The festival is expected to draw 35 lakh people. This would effect the ecosystem of the already fragile ‘environment’ on the banks of Yamuna.

Response:

In an interview with NDTV, Sri Sri Ravishankar said that this event will bring attention to the issue at hand – the lack of care to the river. He mentioned that this festival had previously been organised in Germany, inspired by the same, he decided to bring the festival to India to bring ‘good attention’.

Many countries want this World Culture Festival to be held in their country. If it was in some other country, I would get a red carpet welcome to go and do it there. All sensible people supporting us with this project. When we went with this project to Delhi government, they were happy that we were doing such a program in Delhi. Central government and Delhi government, all over the country people are so appreciative, they want to come and participate. Just a few people trying to oppose won’t make a difference.

<b>Sri Sri Ravishankar</b>

Concern #3: Destruction of Natural Ecosystem

Activists and petitioners repeatedly pry that flood plains play an important role as natural filters of water and can prevent flooding in surrounding areas.

Delhi is one of the biggest urban bird sanctuaries of the world, and we’re actually talking about how within five kilometres, seven kilometres, of Okhla bird sanctuary, there is construction that is taking place. The noise, the dust, vehicles – it’s just been two months that we’ve actually come out and we haven’t completely come out of this air pollution mess, and we’re actually talking about thousands and thousands of generators, vehicles, JCBs being used to really organise an event, so there’s a problem.&nbsp;

<b>Vimlendu Jha</b>

Response:

The Art of Living Foundation (AOL), according to Sri Sri Ravishankar has been involved in a number of river restoration projects, including the Jal Jagruti Abhiyan initiative in Maharashtra, which de-silts water bodies, and the Meri Dilli Meri Yamuna initiative to clean up the Yamuna.

Sri Sri said that about 1000 people have been preparing natural enzymes with vegetables and other natural sources to help purify the water. Adding that over 5,000 volunteers per day since 19 February have been removing around 500 tonnes of waste from the river.

(Photo Courtesy: Sri Sri Ravishankar’s website)

Calling the claims of causing irreparable damage to the Yamuna floodplain the ‘biggest joke,’ he also added that farmers have brought to AOL’s attention that Buffaloes have started to wander into the river, which, they never did before.

Buffaloes in the Yamuna. (Photo Courtesy: Sri Sri Ravishankar’s website)

The NGT committee report is completely biased. They have never gone there. I contest their claims. We have not cut a single tree in that place. To do a program at such a place, they should reward us. We are doing this for an eco-friendly system, we are doing this for the environment. And it’s ridiculous to say that they are destroying the Yamuna floodplains.

<b>Sri Sri Ravishankar</b>

Concern #4: Rule Violation

The event is in violation of a 2015 National Green Tribunal order banning construction on the flood plain.

Response:

The Art of Living has a huge regard for the environment. We have never violated nor do we have any intention to violate any laws of the country. We have followed and further undertake to follow all the guidelines, recommendations, directions of the honourable court and the authorities extending us the permission to hold the World Culture Festival.

<b>Spokesperson,&nbsp;</b><b>Art of Living</b>

Fibreglass domes will be mounted on the stage. (Photo: Siddharth Safaya)

Concern #5: Army Help

120 Jawans have gathered to build two bridges. AOL allegedly asked for six bridges, but was declined.

Response

The Army on Tuesday defended its involvement in Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living World Culture Festival. The Army sources said that they are helping Art of Living organisers to conduct the event in a safe environment. According to the sources, the Army said that they have helped Kumbh Mela organisers in building bridges as well.

Concern #6: Why Can’t the Venue be Changed

There is so much controversy around WCF. Petitioners and activists question why the venue cannot be changed.

Response:

It is not possible to shift the venue with less than 10 days left. The number of people coming for this event is huge. An event like this takes years to plan and it is impossible to alter venues at short notice.

<b>Sri Sri Ravishankar</b>

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. (Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

The Tribunal is currently conducting hearings addressing a case filed against Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s foundation The Art of Living and the DDA by petitioners Manoj Mishra and Anand Arya.

Also read:
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Destroying Nature
DDA Tells NGT, Didn’t Know Scale of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Event
NGT Report on World Cultural Festival Biased: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
World Culture Festival Will Make the Yamuna Better: Art of Living