January 01, 2026 05:19 am (IST)
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Yamuna bank festival: Tribunal asks AOL to deposit Rs 25 lakhs by 4pm on Friday
New Delhi, Mar 11 (IBNS) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Art of Living (AOL) to deposit Rs 25 lakh by 4pm on Friday, when it agreed to hear the environmentalists' plea that the controversial Festival of Culture was set to begin without paying the fine imposed by the tribunal, according to media reports.
The Festival is scheduled to begin at 5pm on Friday and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the event.
The tribunal said that if AOL fails to make the deposit, the Rs 2.5 crore grant given by the Union Ministry of Culture will be freezed,
Earlier this week, the NGT had cleared the event but ordered the AOL foundation to pay a fine of Rs 5 Crore before the inauguration of the event.
The NGT has said the remaining amount has to be paid in three weeks.
AOL said it needed four weeks to pay the Rs 5 crore fine, according to media reports.
Terming their foundation as a charitable institution, the members said that the money should be used to build a bio diversity park.
Environmentalists have alleged that the programme, due to take place on the banks of Yamuna over the course of three days, will cause irreplaceable damage to the flood plains.
The event has also come under scanner, with many taking a swipe at both the central government and Delhi government for bias.
AOL Founder and spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar opposed the fine and told NDTV on Thursday, "We have not done anything wrong...we will go to jail but not pay a penny."
The NGT was also not happy with the remark made to the channel and on Friday admonished Sri Sri Ravi Shankar asking him if he had really said it, according to reports.
The issue rocked the Parliament on Friday too.
In The Rajya Sabha on Friday, Janata Dal United leader Sharad Yadav said, "There is a fine of Rs. 5 crore. He says he will not pay the fine. Send him to jail. Is he above the law?"
As the blame game continued, tweeted Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu. "World Culture Festival by Art of Living will bring glory to India. let's not politicise this."
The event is covering an estimated 1000 acres of land and is already causing a massive traffic congestion.
Temporary construction includes floating bridges and a 7-acre stage, which will house around 35,000 performers.
A lakh followers is expected to attend the mega event.
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