New Delhi : President Pranab Mukherjee is skipping Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s mega cultural event on the banks of the Yamuna here, but not Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is to inaugurate the extravaganza on Friday. He is not inclined to withdraw despite the security concerns cited by the Special Protection Group, sources in the PMO said.
The Delhi Police had sounded the SPG on several security concerns, especially the lack of a proper evacuation plan for the PM in case of a stampede or a fire.
Sources said Modi has, however, conveyed his tacit acceptance of the invite to the Art of Living Guru, though he is yet to decide whether to address the gathering on the banks of Yamuna from atop a stage to be built on a flyover or to inaugurate the function via video-conferencing.
The Delhi Police has not yet given security clearance for the event. However, all top officials rushed to the venue after the National Green Tribunal asked the Art of Living Foundation to secure police permission before mounting the event on Friday.
Sources said the police were not happy that there were just two pontoon bridges, which were not enough for proper evacuation of the attendees in case of a stampede. The foundation had initially told the DDA that there would be at least seven pontoon bridges. The police are also skeptical whether the river bed can take the weight of three lakh people. Incidentally, the foundation has claimed it will have 35 lakh people coming for the grand event.