President Pranab Mujherjee has decided not to attend a cultural festival organised by the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-led Art of Living Foundation later this week, The Hindu reported. The President was scheduled to deliver the valedictory speech at the event, which will be held on the Yamuna floodplains on Friday. The Rashtrapati Bhavan has confirmed the development.

The event had come under the National Green Tribunal's scanner for alleged violations of environmental norms as construction is banned at the chosen venue. The event, which is being organised to mark the 35th anniversary of the Foundation, is expected to draw 35 lakh people.