NGT fine on Art of Living reminiscent of Jizya: VHP

NEW DELHI: The VHP today termed as "jizya", the fine of Rs 5 crore imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Art of Living as environmental compensation for holding a cultural extravaganza on Yamuna flood plains, and asked the green body to reconsider the decision.

In a statement, VHP Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain said imposing fine on a religious figure without any offence having been committed was "reminiscent of the Jizya tax that was levied by the Mughals".

Jain asked the NGT to reconsider its decision.

Earlier amid raging controversies, decks were cleared for the three-day cultural extravaganza of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's AOL with the NGT expressing its helplessness in banning the event because of "fait accompli".

Nevertheless, it had imposed a fine of Rs 5 crore on AOL as environmental compensation after coming down heavily on the foundation for not disclosing its full plans and also on the DDA and Environment Ministry for their role.

The AOL had, however, announced that it will appeal against the NGT order.