New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) allowing the three-day World Culture Festival on the banks of river Yamuna in the national capital.
A farmer had approached the apex court seeking a stay on the global event being organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living from March 11-13.
Notwithstanding the raging row over environmental damage due to the 3-day festival, National Green Tribunal gave its go ahead to the event to be held on the Yamuna floodplains, expressing its helplessness in banning it because of "fait accompli".
The green court had, however, imposed a fine of Rs 5 crore on the organisers of the event. The Art of Living was asked to pay the fine by 4 pm on Thursday.
Meanwhile, speaking to CNN-IBN, Sri Sri said that his organisation would abide by law but contest the fine imposed on them.
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.
The event is slated to attract 3.5 million people from around the world and those in attendance include Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to attend the grand event.
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