There seems to be no stopping the rumor-mongering and hate-mongering spread by media and social media teams of political parties. The World Cultural Festival organized by the Art of Living team was under the attack since the announcement of the event. One of the reasons which many journalists and anti-BJP groups, directly or indirectly, hinted for their extreme hatred towards Sri Sri is his inclination towards the Modi government. Initial campaigns against WCF spanned from concerns around environment, Yamuna saving, farmers, traffic, ecology to the deployment of Indian army for construction works in WCF. It was only after people learned that AAP minister Kapil Mishra wrote to Parrikar for Army’s help in Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s event, and Arvind Kejriwal posted tweets in favor of WCF, the outrage toned down.
Now that NGT has given its verdict, all politics n controversies around AOL event shud be put to rest(1/2)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 9, 2016
Its a huge cultural event wherein people from 155 countries are coming. Delhi welcomes all guests(2/2)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 9, 2016
These tweets by Arvind Kejriwal disappointed, frustrated and pained his supporters, which was visible in their tweets.
The hatred level is so much that many of those who were opposing WCF for the conservation of environment, expressed their glee at seeing rain on the inaugural day of WCF.
And it’s raining as world culture festival begins. We can conquer man, not nature!
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 11, 2016
This was not enough. Now, the social media team of Congress along with many journalists are trying to give a Pakistan angle to the event. Few days back, The Economic Times published an article which mentioned that the parody account of Vinod Mehta, under the handle name of @DrunkVinodMehta is run by a Congress social media team member. Today, this handle posted an inflammatory tweet intended to provoke people against Sri Sri. The tweet and attached screenshot are created by cropping selective parts of his speech.
Sri Sri says ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ in Rajnath presence. Had JNU Students shouted this, would be booked for sedition! pic.twitter.com/ozF9iVSb8c
— Vinod Mehta (@DrunkVinodMehta) March 13, 2016
In the actual video, Sri Sri appeals that Jai Hind and Pakistan Zindabad should move together in harmony. The guest from Pakistan benignly says Pakistan Zindabad, to which Sri Sri replies Jai Hind. Sri Sri further adds that it is possible to create an environment of victory for all instead of creating a defeat for some for the victory of other. The Congress social media handle posted the full video only after Tajinder Bagga questioned him. That too without an iota of guilt.
Video evidence of @SriSri said ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ from his own mouth. @TajinderBagga pic.twitter.com/B3YaGwP2D2
— Vinod Mehta (@DrunkVinodMehta) March 13, 2016
Another case of similar hate-mongering and provocation can be seen in the tweet posted by Talveen Singh Aroor.
What Bullshit is this! pic.twitter.com/hHyXF2226v
— Tavleen Singh Aroor (@Tavysingh) March 13, 2016
As claimed by AOL, The World Cultural Festival is attended by 155 nations and 3.5 million people. To say that, Pakistani nationals participating in a global festival of peace and harmony should not be allowed to wave their flags is fascism, hatred and extreme evil. In fact, most of the haters of Sri Sri are busy spreading the same.
