Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar said Thursday he will rather go to jail than pay the Rs 5 crore fine imposed by the national green tribunal (NGT) for environmental violations over the mega cultural event at the Yamuna flood plains.
In an interview to CNN-IBN, Sri Sri maintained his organization had done nothing wrong in making arrangements for the World Culture Festival and that he will contest the NGT's fine.
"We are right and won't pay the fine. When we asked DDA before removing the debris, we were allowed to do so at our own expenses,"he said.
Shortly after the interview, NGT said AOL still has time till 5 pm on Friday to deposit Rs 5 crore fine and that if there was any breach, law will take its own course.
The spiritual guru said the structure spread over 1000 acres was temporary and completely dismantlable and that not a single piece of concrete was used.
Sri Sri also denied claims that the structure has in any way damaged the flood plains around Yamuna. He said he has been working on cleaning up the rivers since long and that he organised the event around Yamuna to create awareness about its cleanliness.
"When we came here and saw the location, there was no fauna, it was in a bad condition and was very dirty. We worked towards it and we are trying to create awareness about the rivers," he claimed.
Responding to allegations that the Art of Living foundation violated rules, Sri Sri said, "We have had a clean record, have never violated any rules. We have taken all permissions and consulted all stakeholders. It is unintelligent for them to come to us when the structure has been erected."
He also requested all party leaders not to politicise the issue and maintain an "optimism" about the same. "I request everyone not to politicise the issue. Have sent invitations to everyone including Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi," he said.
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