A Zimbabwean News Agency Has Called Delhi's Art Of Living Festival A "Religious Scam"

"It is just a gathering of a religious cult called The Art Of Living," ZimEye reported.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art Of Living Foundation has come under huge controversy for organising its World Culture Festival on the banks of the ecologically sensitive Yamuna river in New Delhi.

Money Sharma / AFP / Getty Images

Over 3.5 million people are expected to attend the three-day event beginning March 11.

Among the invitees was Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, who flew to India but later pulled out of attending the event.

Jekesai Njikizana / AFP / Getty Images

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has also declined to attend the event following the huge outcry around it.

The Zimbabwean media has not been kind while covering the event, with one report calling it a "cheap religious function" and claiming that The Art Of Living is a "cult".

zimeye.net

The irony of the negative coverage hasn't been lost on people.

Aisi Taisi Democracy @AisiTaisiDemo

The funny part here is that even a haraami dictator is acting morally superior over #Srisneyland. (Fab term coined by @vijay_nair.)

08:35 AM - 10 Mar 2016

Karishma @karishmau

You should acknowledge that there's a problem when even a dictator thinks there is a problem. #SriSriYamunaMess https://t.co/3xLd2W8ZaC

05:01 AM - 11 Mar 2016

Unplanned Adulthood @twyodor

Tfw when you're too toxic for a superannuated dictator. https://t.co/KdSE5eum9g

05:29 AM - 11 Mar 2016

Meanwhile, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar initially refused to pay the ₹5 crore fine that has already been imposed on the event as environmental compensation.

Paul J. Richards / AFP / Getty Images

The fine was later paid, with the foundation opting to call it a "restoration amount for a biodiversity park" and not a penalty.