New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI): The Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today sounded defiant saying he would rather go to jail than pay the fine imposed on his organisation by the national green tribunal (NGT) for environmental violations over a cultural extravaganza on the floodplains of Yamuna.
"We have not done anything wrong. We have been taintless and will remain so. We we will go to jail but not pay a penny," said Ravishankar.
The NGT on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs five crore on AOL as environmental compensation while clearing the decks for its three-day cultural extravaganza.
The organisation's chief Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also tweeted that AOL was not "satisfied" with the verdict of the NGT and would appeal against it. He urged political parties not to "politicise" the event.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also denied that any tree at the venue was felled and claimed that the trees had only been pruned and all they had done was level the floodplain.
"Not a single tree was felled. Trees were only pruned and we levelled the floodplain," he said today.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the festival and claimed that people opposing it would "soon see sense".
"This is like a Cultural Olympics. 37,000 artistes from all over the world would come together at one single platform. This is an event to bring people closer to each other. Event of this magnitude should be welcomed," he told NDTV.
Notwithstanding the raging row over environmental damage due to the 3-day festival, the NGT yesterday gave its go ahead to the event to be held on the Yamuna floodplains from March 11, expressing its helplessness in banning it because of "fait accompli".
Nevertheless, it imposed a fine of Rs five crore on AOL as environmental compensation after coming down heavily on the foundation for not disclosing its full plans. The green bench also criticised the DDA and Environment Ministry for their role.
Comment on this article
Vincent Rodrigues, Frazer Town,B'lore
Fri, Mar 11 2016NO ONE LISTENS COURT DECISION IN INDIA WHICH IS A BAD DEVELOPMENT AND COURTS TO INTROSPECT THIS.
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AMAR NATHAL, MANGALORE
Thu, Mar 10 2016Using the Army for an event not organized by the Government is a bit confusing. All the more confusing is the arrogance. If there is a provision in the judgement either pay the fine, or go to jail, then people can very freely choose from the option.
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Evans Christopher Sumitra, UDUPI/NEW YORK,USA.
Thu, Mar 10 2016I think it is better for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to go to jail than to pay the fine imposed by National Green Tribunal(NGT). By doing so, you are respecting NGT.
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alfria, mumbai
Thu, Mar 10 2016Why is this man so arrogant in his talk, He knows that till BJP and modi is in power nothing is going to happen to him. The court should show their power and either tell him pay fine or go to jail before the function.
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Aubb, Kuwait
Thu, Mar 10 2016Another "Dhongi Baba" from India!!
He should be fined and put behind bars for giving silly excuses and also for the contempt of the law.
These fekus have global ambitions in the name of Indian culture and religions.
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Donald, Mangalore one
Thu, Mar 10 2016chi chi chi Art of living = Art of Making Money , It is not = Loosing Money. Art of living also teaches how to live in Jail.
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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai
Thu, Mar 10 2016Goli Mar Beje Mein ...
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William, Mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016His challenge to the NGT is AOL in India. Law in India is only meant for the middle class and poor. Big shots bye pass the Law and either run away or challenge the court. Mera Bharat Mahan.
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RONALD, UDUPI
Thu, Mar 10 2016ART OF LIVING - DISOBEYING THE NGT ORDER. AND HE WAS GIVEN NATIONAL AWARD.
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RAVINDRA, KARKALA
Thu, Mar 10 2016Sri Sri is absolutely right. He has arranged function only after getting permission form DDA and Environment Ministry. His followers are from different religion/countries and already booked tickets, which cannot be cancelled at last moment. All the best and programme should go on. He will definitely win in supreme court.
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Langoolacharya., Belman/Washington,DC.
Thu, Mar 10 2016Everybody,
Join Bhandumaam's 'Art of Loving' ASAP...
Bhandumaam, when is your convention in Mangalore???
...JH...
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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai
Thu, Mar 10 2016Now FEKU will give him Z plus Security ...
DisAgree [3] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse
ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE
Thu, Mar 10 2016One of my face book friend tweeted today...
Two things are trending in nationwide
1)ART OF LIVING
2)MALLYA LEAVING INDIA!!!!
He(SRI SRI)says to media Modi will attend the cultural OLYMPIC !!!!
Who on the earth asks to pay 5 crore fine?
Modi did tell that Black money will be retrieved with in 60days!!BUT UNFORTUNATELY MALLYA siphoned white money from India in billions!!!
So action against Businessmen or SRI SRI!!!!
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John, Udupi
Thu, Mar 10 2016Height of arrogance and open challenge to courts and complete disregard to laws of the land!. He says they have not felled any tree but only pruned!. Pruned upto ground level!?. He cannot challenge that way without backing by center!
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Yashwanth, Mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016Arrest this scoundral immediately
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Jerry, mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016If Sri Ravishankar is so keen to go to jail, let his wish be fulfilled.
He can teach his Art of Living / Art of loving / Art of land grabbing etc. in jail and in return the jailmates will teach him Art of steeling / Art of raping / Art of cheating / Art of murdering etc. to him.
What an idea sirji..
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HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain
Thu, Mar 10 2016Ban this programme nothing is more than nature and environment.
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Gangaram, Moodbidri
Thu, Mar 10 2016This really apecial art of living... just dont listen to court orders!!!
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sid, mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016when you have not done anything wrong there is no need to be worried . Only crooks hide and find reasons to run away . Best wishes to SRI SRI and we are so proud you are conducting such a nice program in India
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Mohammed, Kundapur/Qatar
Thu, Mar 10 2016SRI SRI RAVI SHANKARJI, I really Appreciate Your Decision to go to JAIL...!!!
Prisoners Need More Teachings On Stress Relieve, Societal Problems and Violence...!!!
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UMMAR, MANGALORE
Thu, Mar 10 2016BJP IS GOOD FOR THIS TYPE OF PROGRAMEE....
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BhakSala, Mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016I strictly instruct Modi ji to provide security to this event cancel all police staff leave and put extra CRPF javans to assist in security and this is my order
and I want a immediate appointment with Home ministry today no matter what time I demand a written assurance from Rajnath ji and demand a hotline with HM till the event is over.
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Sumit shanbhog, Manipal
Thu, Mar 10 2016Beaksala
Please update the impact of your orders tomorrow
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Amin Bhoja, Patte / Riyadh
Thu, Mar 10 2016This is a cultural program of all religions performing in one stage.The participants are from all over the globe and the artists are in thousands and a kind rare event in history.In reality the damages if any it is minimum but by politically and religiously it is considered a big damage to others !!!
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CONRAD JOHN TAURO, SHIRVA/UDUPI/DUBAI
Thu, Mar 10 2016Artist of living...
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irshad, shanthimar
Thu, Mar 10 2016Art of Arrogance !
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Rakib, Mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016Banana Republic !!!!
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ca girishkk, m'lore/dxb
Thu, Mar 10 2016Can we interpret this as - A statement of intolerance by sri sri ravi shnakar guruji..,
Is it not an insult to the judiciary....? what message is our dear guruji is sending to his followers of peace movement across Hindustan & the world.
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Ramesh S, MANGALORE
Thu, Mar 10 2016..SUPREME COURT strong word to mentalist "This preparation is going on for a long time. Why have you come now?".. SC also raised raised apprehension on the motive of filing such a petition at the eleventh hour, saying, "So you seek publicity out of it?"..even SC knows why all these drama..
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AK, AUH
Thu, Mar 10 2016This doongi BABA is not above the law, if is not willing to pay the Fine send him the Jail.
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Ramesh S, MANGALORE
Thu, Mar 10 2016..Good reply..those mentalist were in deep sleep when works started..works started nearly month ago..when function date barely 3-4 days near, mentalist/NDTV/CONGRESS/NGT woke up..AOL easily would have chosen other venue if NGT objected..this temporary pendal which will be removed..first these mentalist/NGOs should stop builders & politicians from filling lakes, rivers permanently & construct commercial/residential..
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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai
Thu, Mar 10 2016For whom are you doing all this & what are you getting ...
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ROHAN, mumbai
Thu, Mar 10 2016Religious lover so it is called !!!!Art of Living!!!!!!!! please visit.....................lol
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Ramesh S, MANGALORE
Thu, Mar 10 2016Dont worry..people who attend will get what they want..so many functions church/diocese also conducts, eventhough i dont know you know what you will get there..just few month back these mentalist,some media cried like hell broke down on DELHI..now no one talks about pollution..pollution control needs continuous effort by every one..not one day cycling to office like Kujli..we are fortunate enough that majority people dont go behind the creator/creation logic..they beleive God resides in everything from river,mountain, snake,elephant everything..this belief only enough to protect environment/nature in INDIA..no need to worry about AOL temporary pendal, let us object permanent construction,YETTINA HOLE,filling of river so on..
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N.M, Mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016Wow!! "Art of Arrogance and false pride".
DisAgree [12] Agree [46] Reply Report Abuse
Ramesh S, MANGALORE
Thu, Mar 10 2016..please read SC rapper on enviroMENTALIST..
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ca girishkk, m'lore/dxb
Thu, Mar 10 2016Self proclaimed Guru sri sri publicly defying the court order & expressing his intention to dis-obey means what credibility left in our honorable PM Namo lead NDA govt among ordinary patriot citizens and also the nations across the universe (including our new found love thy neighbour PAKISTAN).
most welcome for correction, for any second best opinion.
Jai Ho.., Jai Hind..,
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N.M, Mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016Srix2 is challenging the courts because he has the backing of BJP.
Pseudo nationalists have turned India into a banana republic.
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vnayak, mangalore/switzerland
Thu, Mar 10 2016Now at this last moment they want the government to pay for the cleaning of mess after the even and also for toilets if the govt insists that there should be toilets. way to go...!
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Dr. T.A.Koshy, Vaslane, Mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016If Sri Sri Ravi Shanker has not broken any law in arranging an International meet, then why he should be penalised with hefty penalty of 5 crores of rupees.In fairness he may be asked to pay a sum of Rs.1 crore for using the area for three days.
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Prakash Shetty, Pune
Thu, Mar 10 2016SSRS, It is very nice to hear about your wish to go to jail.
Today you.
Tomorrow may be Baba Ram Dev.
Ye sab jungle raaj mein chalta hai.
DisAgree [6] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse
Peter, Bangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016In any religion people must to smart to decide....
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Hussain, Abudhabi
Thu, Mar 10 2016Mr. Sri Sri
You're not above the law..you've not been fined 5cr just for timepass...
DisAgree [11] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse
Praveen, Mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016He said he will not pay a single penny , he will pay in Rupees
DisAgree [3] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse
geoffrey, hat hill
Thu, Mar 10 2016Each time this Sri X 2 displays such flippant attitude, the fine should be increased by a crore. So much for his art!
DisAgree [7] Agree [41] Reply Report Abuse
India First, India
Thu, Mar 10 2016Respect NGT..... You are not above laws.
DisAgree [5] Agree [54] Reply Report Abuse
Santosh,K, Mangalore
Thu, Mar 10 2016Lalit Gate Modi,
Vijay Mallya,
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,
Indian Public have to pay more tax to these people's credit. This happens in India Only !!!!!!!!
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R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru
Thu, Mar 10 2016Quickly enroll for my
'Art Of Loving'...everybody...
Loving is living
loving is livinggggggggggggggg
la la laaaaaaaaaaa
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