Farmers protest, seek more compensation for crops lost in Sri Sri event

Around 80 farmers, who claim their land on the Yamuna Floodplain was flattened by the Art of Living festival organisers, are on hunger strike opposite the Mayur Vihar Extension metro station.

Around 80 farmers, who claim their land on the Yamuna flood plains was flattened Art of Living festival organisers, went on a hunger strike opposite the Mayur Vihar Extension metro station in the Capital.

Many farms and fields were razed for construction on the Yamuna bank along the DND for a World Cultural Festival organized by Art of Living. (Virendra Singh Gosain/)

The farmers were given Rs 4000 per bigha as compensation against their crops razed to clear the lands for hosting of the World Cultural Festival from March 11 to 13. The farmers are demanding more compensation to cover losses they have suffered because of the event.

Hindustan Times had reported last week how vegetables were destroyed and farmlands were flattened using road rollers to created access roads for the main event.

These farmers do not have any legal claim over the land, which is owned by DDA and the UP Irrigation department. They have, however, been growing vegetables in the area for many decades. There is a Supreme Court order banning the sale of vegetables grown on the floodplain because of the high level of contamination.