NGT

Conjectures, Compensation & Vindication: Art of Living’s WCF vs. NGT’s Flop Show

EnsuresLeave a comment

A maxi post, actually too small considering my standard and what is really on my mind which would be unparliamentary to express it

When Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji and Art of Living announced World Culture Festival in March 2016, it brought together over 3.75 million people from 155 countries on Yamuna bank in Delhi. It was an unprecedented gathering of global unity, peace, and harmony to celebrate 35 years of humanitarian service.

Yet, almost instantly, a group of obstructionist activists, vested interests, and pliable media outlets launched campaign to smear event and defame Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji. Armed with unfounded allegations, they claimed that temporary event caused catastrophic environmental damage to Yamuna floodplains.

What followed was saga of regulatory overreach, unscientific claims, and institutional bias, culminating in total vindication when Supreme Court stepped in to uphold justice.

Anatomy of Calculated Smear Campaign

Narrative against World Culture Festival was built not on scientific methodology, but on sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims. Activists and certain media outlets pushed doom and gloom narrative, claiming that floodplains were permanently destroyed.

When National Green Tribunal (NGT) set up (a suspect) Expert Committee to assess site, irregularities became undeniable. Initial claim that event caused 120 crore rupees in irreversible damage was made without any baseline scientific studies, soil testing, or formal measurements.

Chairman of Expert Committee and Water Resources Secretary Shashi Shekhar later admitted in letter to NGT that 120 crore rupees figure was merely tentative and spontaneous suggestion that became elevated to recommendation due to inadvertent mistake. As independent satellite imageries proved that no natural wetlands existed at event site prior to 2016, committee drastically revised damage figures downward from 120 crore rupees to 13.29 crore rupees, changing its stance from permanent destruction to rehabilitation within 10 years.

Letter to NGT from Chairman of Expert Committee

Despite these glaring contradictions, Art of Living was forced to deposit environmental compensation amount under protest to ensure event proceeded without disruption.

Pictures and Facts Show Real Story

Claims of environmental destruction fell apart when subjected to empirical data. Independent satellite imagery dating from 2000 through 2016 and official Survey of India maps confirmed several critical facts.

Site used for World Culture Festival had no natural wetland or water body to begin with. It was agricultural land and dry plain long before 2016. Art of Living constructed temporary pontoon bridges which were dismantled immediately after event, alongside temporary eco-friendly seating. No paved roads or permanent concrete foundations were laid on floodplains.

Yamuna’s toxic state was result of decades of industrial discharge and untreated sewage. Blaming three day cultural festival for long standing ecological neglect was transparent attempt to scapegoat world renowned spiritual organization. Ironically, Art of Living had already been working actively to clean and rejuvenate rivers across India, including Yamuna itself in 2010 long before these activists took interest in riverbank.

Pattern of Targeted Overreach

Bias was not limited to Delhi event. Similar pattern emerged in Kolkata, where NGT and East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority arbitrarily ordered demolition of Vaidic Dharma Sansthan Trust’s Temple of Knowledge building without even serving notice to trust.

While hundreds of commercial structures, private projects, and government flyovers were permitted on wetlands, non-profit educational building that strictly complied with all land use and municipal norms was selectively targeted.

Supreme Court Verdict and Final Vindication

Lies or Incompetence Never ages well – NGT exposed

Truth may be delayed, but it cannot be defeated. When matter reached Supreme Court of India, legal edifice built on conjectures, media trial, and flawed committee reports fell apart completely.

Recognizing lack of scientific evidence and procedural unfairness of demands imposed on Art of Living, Supreme Court ordered that deposit made under protest be returned to organization. Supreme Court order served as decisive rejection of narrative spun by vested interests.

It confirmed that allegations of permanent destruction were grounded in speculation rather than scientific truth. Returning money deposited under protest acknowledged that Art of Living was wrongfully penalized, fully restoring honor and integrity of Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji and Art of Living in eyes of law. Ultimately, noise of conjectures and lies faded, leaving behind enduring truth of Satyameva Jayate.

Detailed Observations of Supreme Court

Supreme Court of India set aside National Green Tribunal order holding Art of Living Foundation responsible for environmental damage on Yamuna floodplain. Top court directed Delhi Development Authority to refund entire five crore deposit given under protest within four weeks. Decision stands as complete vindication for Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji and millions of volunteers across world. Entire campaign alleging ecological devastation was based on lies, conjectures and selective outrage.

Conjectures and Speculation Exposed

Apex court bench observed that claims of permanent environmental damage lacked solid evidence. Court noted that National Green Tribunal failed to consider existing condition of site which was already littered with construction waste and debris before event setup. Further, no baseline scientific data was gathered to prove net environmental harm caused by three day event. Arbitrary visual estimations were used to demand hefty fines without scientific methodology. Pujya Gurudev always maintained that organisation brought international attention and positive care to river which was neglected for decades.

Refund of Security Deposit

When five crore penalty was imposed in 2016, Art of Living paid sum under protest while reserving right to seek legal remedies. Foundation maintained clean record and refused to accept wrongful guilt. Supreme Court order instructing full refund clears organisation of false allegations and restores truth.

Legacy of World Culture Festival

World Culture Festival brought together over three million participants and thousands of global leaders to promote peace and harmony. Event showcased rich Indian heritage on global stage. Unfair media trials and activist propaganda attempted to tarnish noble work, but ultimate judicial verdict proved that truth always prevails – Satyameva Jayate

Institutional Reality of NGT

This entire saga exposes broader fundamental issue with National Green Tribunal. NGT has reduced itself to redundant administrative entity, operating with minimal accountability while routinely substituting sound scientific rigor with guesswork. Rather than serving authentic environmental conservation, tribunal has largely functioned as post-retirement rehabilitation center for former judges and favored bureaucrats close to establishment. When regulatory forum bypasses basic principles of natural justice, relies on unverified committee estimates, and ignores actual empirical facts, it loses credibility as forum for justice. Whole WCF episode remains stark reminder that institutional overreach built on conjectures will eventually crumble when tested in highest courts of land.

Personal Reflection: Words That Defined Victory

With despair, I still remember the glee with which Rajdeep Sardesai, Zakka Jacob kept posting when it began raining just before the event, little knowing that it was nature washing them off. It did not take long for the nature to present us, the now famous World Culture Festival Rainbow. Meeting that wannabe Vimlendu Jha with handful of so called whole of Delhi protestors. In fact, I offered to hold a placard on his behalf since he had more of it than people.

And wait for a somersault
Now he began sucking up – He remembered the #CNNIBNLies Episode

Post event, after spending entire time inside war room watching the onslaught of media trials and legal battles with despair, I had opportunity to be in discussion with Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji in Ganga just before Satsang. Having lived through intense stress and emotional turmoil of entire WCF episode, I could not help but get emotional describing everything that had transpired.

Famous WCF Rainbow

Gurudev listened calmly, offering His customary serene smile, warm hug, and gentle pat on back. His words in that heavy moment put everything into perspective:

“Remember, world owes nothing to us, even if we have done most useful and best thing to world. In entire episode, barring a few expected obstructionists, not a single person accused us of any malafides. Consider that itself as victory. Stay strong and don’t get despondent or despair, Rest assured, we will win. Every single paisa paid under protest will be returned to us. Now, get back to work, bring smile on your face and bring it on everyone around you.”

Looking back today, after Supreme Court ordered return of deposit, those words stand as prophecy fulfilled. Beyond legal victory, it was lesson in grace under pressure, unwavering faith, and ultimate triumph of truth. Jai Gurudev.

My Earlier Articles calling NGT bluff

(It is listed in Reverse order of publication)

NGT – Not Good Try Again
Phas gaye re NGT – #TruthWillPrevail
Pictures & Facts Don’t Lie – #WCF2016
PALS and Art of Living – Part 2
PALS and Art of Living – Part 1
NGT Committee as (Im)Perfect Weapon
WCF (W)ith (C)ompliments (F)rom – India
Part of Ecology – Protect, Preserve & Conserve – Part 2
Critic or Profiteering – For Anti WCF Brigade – Part 1

Jai Gurudev! Satyameva Jayate

For those interested in legal summary of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s Judgement on 22nd August 2026

The Supreme Court of India set aside the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) 2017 judgment that held Vyakti Vikas Kendra India (Art of Living) liable for environmental damage to the Yamuna floodplains during the 2016 World Culture Festival.

Key Case Details

  • Case: Vyakti Vikas Kendra India v. Manoj Misra (Dead) & Ors. (Civil Appeal No. 683 of 2018)
  • Bench: Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh
  • Date of Judgment: August 22, 2026

Core Findings of the Supreme Court

  • Lack of Causal Link: The Court observed that the NGT failed to establish a direct link between the event organized by the appellant and the alleged environmental degradation.
  • Pre-Existing Damage: Substantial evidence and prior reports established that the Yamuna floodplain was already severely damaged, degraded, and littered with construction debris well before the land was handed over for the event.
  • Flawed NGT Proceedings: The NGT relied heavily on an interim visual inspection and satellite images without properly evaluating counter-evidence. The Court noted that the NGT erroneously treated its interim findings as final, denying the appellant a fair chance to contest them.
  • Restoration vs. Rehabilitation: The NGT exceeded its statutory jurisdiction under Section 15 of the NGT Act by demanding complete “rehabilitation” and forcing the appellant to fund long-term development (such as a Biodiversity Park), rather than limiting its scope to “restoration” to the site’s pre-event condition.
  • No-Fault Liability Misapplied: The Court held that principles like “polluter pays” or “no-fault liability” cannot be applied without proving that real, attributable damage was caused by the party in question.

Final Directions

  • Judicial Relief: The NGT judgment dated December 7, 2017, and all consequential actions against the appellant were set aside.
  • Refund of Deposit: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was directed to refund the ₹5 crore environmental compensation deposited by the appellant within four weeks.
  • DDA’s Role: While criticizing the DDA for granting permissions without proper caution, the Court reiterated that the responsibility for overall rehabilitation and ecological maintenance of the Yamuna floodplains remains solely with the DDA as per earlier judicial directions.

Below is the Final Judgement/Order

NGT-VVKI Judgement 22-Aug-2026Download

NGT – Not Good Try Again

Ensures1 Comment

What does one do, when they go out of circulation and unnoticed for a long time? Piggy back on to something/someone popular – Exactly what NGT seem to be trying to implement to perfection these days. After their unwarranted and vengeful attempt to defame and derail  World Culture Festival, during which they were exposed by their own Expert Panel with Observations that cannot even be categorised as Amateurish, the recent “Selective” targeting of the Art of Living’s  Temple of Knowledge by the EKW Management Authority (EKWMA) comes in handy for them. Who better to piggy back than world renowned Spiritual Master & Guru of Joy Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, the founder of Art of Living.

Since I am in the know about some facts and background of this project, thought this should be recorded here. Here we go…

First up, every single legal norms warranted by all concerned regulatory authorities has been complied with by the Vaidic Dharma Sansthan Trust of the Art of Living in respect of the Temple of Knowledge Project  

On Oct 25, 2017, Kolkata NGT, ordered the demolition of the Temple of Knowledge (ToK) – the structure owned by the Vaidic Dharma Sansthan (VDS) Trust by relying upon an order passed by the East ​Kolkata Wetlands Authority on the previous day i.e 24 October 2017, UNILATERALLY without even serving the same to VDS for it to deal with it legally. VDS has come to know of the said order of EKWMA through the Media. Basic premise and process of Natural justice is to afford an opportunity to all parties or atleast keep affected parties informed. Especially since VDS has all records and FACTS to prove that the order of EKWMA’s order is legally Void and Erroneous – which is well known to EKWMA and the NGT – (Was it the reason to go ahead and issue the order almost surreptitiously?)

It is pertinent to note here that the plot of the Trust has been categorised under the schedule to the East Kolkata Wetlands (Conservation and Preservation) Act 2006, as one in which Rural and Urban Settlement was allowed. The structure of the Trust was therefore perfectly legal and valid.

A cursory drive past would reveal existence of more than a thousand private and ​commercial projects, schools, colleges in the wetland area. Why is it that a Not for Profit Charitable ToK, VDS & Art of Living being singled out – Vendetta?

Let it be known that when the construction of the ‘Temple for Knowledge’ began, a group of volunteers started it based on the sanction plan given to VDS by the donor. The East ​Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority was not even functional then. VDS had obtained all required permissions from regulatory departments.

It is in this context that Selectively ToK building which is for the public good been ordered to be razed down. I hope VDS trust won’t let itself to be bullied by these kind of over-reach and use of discretionary powers and move higher court against this arbitrary order of EKWMA and NGT.

Some pictures of permanent structures existing in the same area where the Trust has been singled out.

View of Wetlands and Structures on it

Structures that has been spared

A view from the Under Construction ToK

Temple of Knowledge Building

NOTE: This rebuttal could have well been provided to the Media who had published the report, but it would be sending more hits to their portal which I don’t wish to do. A responsible media would have first sought Art of Living/VDS Trust’s reaction before they went to town with a one sided reportage.

Additional Reading: This is by no means an attempt to say Two wrongs don’t make a right. But to put things in perspective – Witch hunting (for reasons that is anyone’s guess) a legally cleared and permitted Not-For-Profit Organisation while commercial activities goes unchecked.

  1. In a meeting on July 14, the first of the reconstituted authority chaired by Chatterjee, the newly constituted EKWMA committee (this committee was created by the Government just to bull doze decisions on the Authority) made a series of decisions which, environmentalists allege, have formalised encroachment within the wetlands. This sitting cleared several Government Project (In-Principle approvals).A five kilometre flyover which will see 146 piers constructed within eight water bodies in the core of the Ramsar site is not a danger? Also note this has come post establishment of the authority unlike ToK which was much before.  Click on the picture below for details.

    Wastewater is released into the Kolkata wetlands at the Bantala Lock Gate
  2. A 5 km long flyover over the wetland – WB Government cared two hoots to the concerns raised.
  3. Clearance for dumping of City”s Solid waste (yes! You read it right) – Though this has been resisted, Minister Chatterjee has been very vocal with this demand.
  4. Two roads that would definitely damage and adverserly affect the Wetlands.
  5. This committee has allowed the Meghnath Saha Institute of Technology to procure land outside the wetland area and turn it into a water body (this was expressly banned by the authority and now overturned by this Committee)
  6. As evident from the pictures above, huge skyscrapers are also being permitted brazenly and the Authority nor the NGT seem to be bothered.
  7. There are reports that there is rampant and illegal sale of Wetlands (and on August 15th 2017, there was even violence between two parties including firing due to differences in sharing the spoils)

 

Phas gaye re NGT – #TruthWillPrevail

Ensures1 Comment

Please bear and read through this Maxi post (it has a lot of links for supplementary reading)

Each time I resolve not to react to anything that appears against the Art of Living hosted, now well known, World Culture Festival held on the banks of River Yamuna (or whatever was left of it), a motley bunch who called themselves “Committee of Experts” (click on the link to read about the so called experts) don’t let me do it at all.

The committee chaired by Water Resources Secretary Shashi Shekhar & assisted by Prof AK Gosain of IIT-Delhi, Prof CR Babu and Prof Brij Gopal, in its report submitted to the green panel on 21 February 2016, had stated (Quoting relevant part from the report)

The area has been cleared of all natural vegetation and the event would leave a “permanent footprint” on the floodplains of the Yamuna.

The site has been cleared of all natural vegetation and consolidated with machinery. It appears that the site has been raised with the help of JCBs (mechanical excavators). A gigantic stage made of steel rods is under preparation. A huge amount of debris and construction waste has been dumped into the Yamuna main channel.

It would require at least Rs 120 crore for restoration of the Yamuna flood plains and there is a irreversible damage, leaving a “permanent footprint” on the floodplains of the Yamuna. It’s destruction and not damage of the floodplains, because there’s nothing left on the floodplains to revive. The wetland has been compacted that has killed organisms, vegetation, biodiversity and the ecological system. It takes hundreds of years and even more for a biodiversity to develop, and one can’t revive in a few years period. So, it’s total destruction

(Mark those important phrases in red – that formed part of their report on which basis the entire case is premised – I will revisit this later in this piece)

And backed by the every obliging Foreign controlled Paid Media and Liberals (PALs) – you can find some information on my two part pieces here (Part 1 and Part 2). This gives you the reason why PALs, as I refer to them in the pieces, launched an incessant attack on the founder of Art of Living, Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji and Art of Living – whether they perform their morning ablutions or not, multiple attacks a day on this world recognized event was their prescription.

And Lo!!! Something suddenly erupts to disturb the cosy comfort activists were reposing in. An usually wary and not so outspoken Water Resource Secretary and Chairman of the Expert Committee Mr Shashi Shekar blurted in an unguarded moment that Rs 120 crore fine was not based on any scientific assessment. In his letter to NGT, he said (quoting from it),

The estimate that Rs 120 crore would be needed to repair the likely damage as “tentative” and a “spontaneous suggestion”, which got elevated as a “recommendation” because of an “inadvertent mistake. This inadvertent mistake was largely due to the fact that I was running high fever and could not see the entire report prepared by the experts,”

Oh yes! Mr Shashi Shekhar wrote this letter to the NGT on March 3, eight days before the AOL event got under way. But even during the hearings on the even and the day preceding it, the Tribunal and the activists who had made it their mission to sabotage this Event never refered to this letter from no less than Chairman of the Expert Committee (Manoj Misra, Vimlendu et al cannot claim they did not know about it – but they did throw a gauntlet at me at the gates of NGT office – Swechha guy’s words “You can defeat us in court but not the fury of the nature” bandying the weather forecast. It is a different matter that he had a carton of Gelusil when nature held back just for the event to get to a magnificent start and also witness to the now famous WCF Rainbow – click this link to see WCF Rainbow & a Post Event report). Coming back to the point, a totally unscientific, tentative spontaneous suggestion got elevated as a recommendation (yes it is the language of the Expert supposedly handling some legally critical issue)

I even presented, with my friend Rajaque Rehman a far more Scientific, evidence based report “Pictures & Facts Don’t Lie – #WCF2016” which had As-is pictures, photographs of spectral records, Pre and post Event Pictures, Temporal Satellite imageries. But then we were just factual not “experts”

Partial list of work done by Art of Living for Environment protection is chronicled in this Two part article Part 1 that includes work done for Yamuna, yes yes you heard it right – Yamuna maayi was also taken care by AOL much before the event in 2010. And then Part 2 where I chronicle various river rejuvenation and enviroment related work that Art of Living has done. As clear these form far more than whatever these activists, experts and NGT put together has done for the environment and rivers. By the way! I have just listed very few of them and those done in India alone.

Now that the premise is set, let us come back to the present. A so called Expert and so called report from them was leaked to the public (press – obviously first broken on pliable Hindustan Times – known hitjob contractor against AOL and Sri Sri). Read this part of the report

The seven-member committee, headed by the water resources ministry secretary Mr Shashi Shekhar, said in the report released on Wednesday that the ecological rehabilitation of the Yamuna’s floodplains will cost Rs.13.29 crore and take almost 10 years.

Compare the Red colored block words of what NGT experts had asked for. Permanent Damage & Total destruction now becomes ecological rehabilitation would take almost 10 years and Rs 120 Crores becomes Rs 13.29 Crores. Coming from such a learned bunch of experts 😛 a poor stupid me is left wondering why we Tax Payers even have these kind of rehabilitation forum, for retired Judges and Professors and Good Boys of the establishment, called NGT and Expert committee. The report is a litany of comical errors. Chairman and another Expert doesn’t sign the report!!!

A few questions

  1. Why this selective leak of Expert Report?
    • What were the Compulsions: Desire for Media Glare (unlikely) or Pressure from a Particular Foreign funded NGO to fix AOL?
  2. Why did Chairman of the Committee and another Expert not sign the document?
  3. How did the Rs 120 Crore suddenly drop to Rs 13.29 Crores + recurring cost for 10 years)
  4. How did Permanent damage, recoup itself to getting rehabiliated within 10 years?

Here is the Press Release from the Art of Living:

Even more caustic and harsh was Water Minister, Government of Delhi Mr Kapil Mishra’s reaction to the Expert committee report. He went to the extent of mocking them saying Dolphins were swimming in Yamuna before WCF and also sought Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to repeat this festival again and again.

Here is the DNA report shared in the tweet from Art of Living which has English version of this reaction. That was a slap bit too hard. Salutes Sir. I have ideological differences with you, but tipping my hat for being on the side of Truth.

Does whatever happened remind you of the scene from a 2010 movie “Phas Gaye re Obama” Rings a Bell? NGT bargaining is something like this. I sincerely hope and pray that Art of Living stands up to this Obstructionist bully called National Green Tribunal, not surprisingly a creation of the Indian National Congres & machiavellian designs

|Jai Gurudev|

|Jai Yamuna Mayi|

Satyameva Jayate (TruthWillTriumph) 

#TruthWillPrevail