National Green Tribunal rebukes Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for statement on damage to Yamuna banks

Highlights Sri Sri cultural festival damaged Yamuna severely last year: green court

Court and centre allowed it, blame them for any damage: Sri Sri

Experts say will take 10 years, 42 crores to reverse the damage

The country's top environment court came down forcefully today on spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, stating,"You have no sense of responsibility. Do you think you have the liberty to say whatever you want?"



Yesterday, Sri Sri said that if any damage has been caused to the environment by the huge three-day cultural festival he held on the banks of the River Yamuna in Delhi last year, it is the government and the court who should take the blame, because 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 itself, for giving the permission. If the Yamuna was so fragile and pure, they should have stopped the World Culture Festival," the 60-year-old, who has lakhs of followers around the world, said in a Facebook post.



"Those who say the Art of Living is irresponsible simply don't know us or have gained a sense of humour!" tweeted Sri Sri after strong rebuke from the court.

"The truth is we have caused no damage to the Yamuna. When lies are exposed, it is shocking," he said. The next hearing has been set for May 7.

Sri Sri cultural festival damaged Yamuna severely last year: Green court

The event opened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on stage next to Sri Sri.

Environmentalists last year asked for the "World Culture Festival" to be disallowed

Sri Sri and the Art of Living Foundation , which was founded by him, have denied all allegations of damaging the fragile ecosystem of the Yamuna.Environmentalists last year asked for the "World Culture Festival" to be disallowed, but the National Green Tribunal said it was too late to call off the event and fined the organization five crores. Sri Sri at the time said he should be given an award for hosting a spectacular event that drew people from across the globe to the banks of one of the world's most polluted rivers.The event opened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on stage next to Sri Sri The Art of Living, contesting the charges against it, has said that it is committed to protecting and preserving the environment and has proved this dispensation with various projects around the country.