Baba Ramdev's hunger fast and protest against corruption ended with scenes of violence and drama after the Delhi police used a lathicharge and tear gas shells on the Baba's supporters before detaining him at Ramlila Maidan which had served all day as a sort of capital city for the yoga icon and his mass movement against the government. (In Pictures: Baba Ramdev's satyagraha)
The police action at the Ramlila Maidan has been compared to the Emergency by other civil society activists like Shanti Bushan. Others like Swami Agnivesh said that because the Baba's supporters had been largely peaceful, the police has violated human rights. "The government should resign," said Mr Bhushan.
At 1 am, a group of policemen trooped onto the stage, reportedly after some people threw stones at them. The Baba asked them to go away. He then jumped into a crowd of supporters - there were thousands present despite the late hour. They then carried him on their shoulders away from the police. (Watch: Thousands gather at Ramlila Maidan)
He was later reportedly found among a group of women supporters and taken away be the police.
At 2 am, teargas shells were launched upon the thousands of people who were present, allegedly in an attempt to force the crowds to leave the grounds. A small fire broke out on the stage that had been used by the Baba but fortunately, it did not spread. (Watch: Eyewitness account)
At 5.30 am, the Baba was evicted from Delhi. Unconfirmed reports say he was moved to his ashram in Haridwar.
Government sources say that the Baba was detained for just a few minutes.
The Baba and the government had hit the collision course at around 9 pm with both sides accusing each other of betrayal. Baba Ramdev said the government had falsely assured him that it would meet his charter of demands that include recovering black money held abroad by Indians and declaring it a national asset. The government in turn said that the Baba had in writing promised even before he began his fast that it would end early last evening. The implication was that unknown to his supporters, the government and the yoga icon had struck a secret deal. Stung, the Baba accused the government of lying and said the gloves were coming off. A letter from the government was sent to him assuring him that the government was serious about following up on his demands. The letter appealed again for the Baba to end his hunger strike.
Baba Ramdev has been the government's top priority this week-top ministers spent hours meeting with him to persuade him that his "satyagraha against corruption" should not be launched because the government was willing to work with him to address his concerns.
Several rounds of talks-including those on Friday - were followed by reports that a compromise had been reached. But late on Friday evening, after meeting with senior ministers Kapil Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay at the Claridges Hotel in Delhi, the Baba returned to Ramlila Maidan and told a crowd of thousands that his fast would begin as planned on Saturday. He said his movement would be non-violent and that he would fast "till the end." (Watch: Ramdev's '5-star satyagraha' has RSS support, says Digvijaya Singh)
The police action at the Ramlila Maidan has been compared to the Emergency by other civil society activists like Shanti Bushan. Others like Swami Agnivesh said that because the Baba's supporters had been largely peaceful, the police has violated human rights. "The government should resign," said Mr Bhushan.
At 1 am, a group of policemen trooped onto the stage, reportedly after some people threw stones at them. The Baba asked them to go away. He then jumped into a crowd of supporters - there were thousands present despite the late hour. They then carried him on their shoulders away from the police. (Watch: Thousands gather at Ramlila Maidan)
He was later reportedly found among a group of women supporters and taken away be the police.
At 2 am, teargas shells were launched upon the thousands of people who were present, allegedly in an attempt to force the crowds to leave the grounds. A small fire broke out on the stage that had been used by the Baba but fortunately, it did not spread. (Watch: Eyewitness account)
At 5.30 am, the Baba was evicted from Delhi. Unconfirmed reports say he was moved to his ashram in Haridwar.
Government sources say that the Baba was detained for just a few minutes.
The Baba and the government had hit the collision course at around 9 pm with both sides accusing each other of betrayal. Baba Ramdev said the government had falsely assured him that it would meet his charter of demands that include recovering black money held abroad by Indians and declaring it a national asset. The government in turn said that the Baba had in writing promised even before he began his fast that it would end early last evening. The implication was that unknown to his supporters, the government and the yoga icon had struck a secret deal. Stung, the Baba accused the government of lying and said the gloves were coming off. A letter from the government was sent to him assuring him that the government was serious about following up on his demands. The letter appealed again for the Baba to end his hunger strike.
Baba Ramdev has been the government's top priority this week-top ministers spent hours meeting with him to persuade him that his "satyagraha against corruption" should not be launched because the government was willing to work with him to address his concerns.
Several rounds of talks-including those on Friday - were followed by reports that a compromise had been reached. But late on Friday evening, after meeting with senior ministers Kapil Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay at the Claridges Hotel in Delhi, the Baba returned to Ramlila Maidan and told a crowd of thousands that his fast would begin as planned on Saturday. He said his movement would be non-violent and that he would fast "till the end." (Watch: Ramdev's '5-star satyagraha' has RSS support, says Digvijaya Singh)
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