Born in India · Nationality Indian — Religion / sects / ideologues

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “2016–2026: World Culture Festival on the Yamuna — adverse NGT ruling subsequently overturned by Supreme Court” and “2025–2026: Land encroachment allegations — personal FIR quashed, then investigation against organisation suspended”.

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Profile No. 2229 · Updated on 12 October 2026

5Documented controversies

10Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2016–2026

2016–2026: World Culture Festival on the Yamuna — adverse NGT ruling subsequently overturned by Supreme Court

Civil / administrative proceedings

The 2016 World Culture Festival on the Yamuna floodplain resulted in an adverse NGT ruling against Art of Living and a deposit of 5 crore rupees. In August 2026, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling and ordered reimbursement, notably citing insufficient direct evidence that the event had caused the alleged damage.

Sources · 2

[1]
The New Indian ExpressSupreme Court overturns NGT order against Art of Living, directs refund of Rs 5 croreMediaHigh reliability
[2]
India TodaySupreme Court orders refund of Rs 5 crore to Art of Living in Yamuna floodplain caseMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2025–2026

2025–2026: Land encroachment allegations — personal FIR quashed, then investigation against organisation suspended

Case dismissed / dropped

A criminal complaint named Ravi Shankar in a land encroachment dispute in Bengaluru. In March 2026, the Karnataka High Court quashed the proceedings against him personally because no specific act had been alleged. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was subsequently announced to investigate alleged encroachments by linked entities, but the High Court stayed the order establishing that SIT.

State of the evidence: Allegations

Sources · 3

[1]
Karnataka High Court via Indian KanoonSri Sri Ravishankar vs State of KarnatakaCourt decisionVery high reliability
[2]
The Indian ExpressKarnataka govt orders SIT probe into alleged Art of Living land encroachmentMediaHigh reliability
[3]
The Indian ExpressKarnataka HC stays SIT probe into Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-linked land encroachment allegationsMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2018-03

2018: Warning of a 'Syria-like' situation over Ayodhya; complaints filed

Allegations

In the Ayodhya dispute, Ravi Shankar warned that an imposed decision rather than a negotiated agreement could provoke unrest and a situation comparable to Syria. Complaints were filed.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Hindustan TimesComplaint against Sri Sri for Syria-like situation remarkMediaHigh reliability
[2]
India TodayComplaint filed against Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Kanpur over Syria remarkMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2017-11

2017: Statement describing homosexuality as a 'tendency' that could change

No legal proceedings

At JNU, Ravi Shankar told a gay student that he was neither ill nor abnormal, while adding that homosexuality could be a tendency that might change over time.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The Indian ExpressBeing homosexual a tendency, says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at JNU eventMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2012-03

2012: Statement linking certain government schools to Naxalism, subsequently clarified

No legal proceedings

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar sparked controversy by stating that government schools produced Naxalites whereas, according to him, pupils from private schools did not join the movement.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The Indian ExpressSri Sri's wisdom: Govt schools produce NaxalsMediaHigh reliability
[2]
NDTVDidn't say all govt schools breed Naxalism: Sri Sri Ravi ShankarMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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