Sri Sri Ravishankar's World Culture Festival: PM Modi likely to skip cultural extravaganza

New Delhi, Mar 9: In what could be termed as a fresh jolt to the 3-day World Culture Festival, PM Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the mega event organised by Art of Living on the Yamuna floodplains here.

After President Pranab Mukherjee pulled out of Sri Sri Ravishankar's cultural extravaganza, PM Modi might do the same too.

Apparently, the Special Protection Group (SPG) has cited security concerns, sources were quoted as saying.

The entire event has been shrouded into controversy after NGOs objected to hosting event on the ecologically fragile Yamuna flood plains and opposition raised concerns over Indian Army men being used to construct pontoon bridges for the event.

PM Modi was expected to inaugurate the cultural event on March 11-13. The mega-event marking 35 years of the foundation ran into fresh trouble after army men were seen helping the non-governmental organisation in the construction process ahead of the programme.

However, the defence ministry defended its decision that was apparently taken after Delhi Police expressed fears about the likelihood of a stampede at the venue.

"Public safety is a government concern, and Delhi Police said there could be a stampede with the huge crowd gathering there," a source close to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told IANS.

OneIndia News