BJP holds Manmohan, Sonia responsible for Ramlila police action

The Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari. File Photo

Condemning the police action against Baba Ramdev’s agitation, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday sought to hold Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi responsible for it and announced a 24-hour stir across the country to register the party’s protest.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari said the “police crackdown” was reminiscent of the Emergency days and alleged that Congress was not ready to discuss corruption issue through democratic means like that period.

“The crackdown by police came on the orders of the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi. We strongly condemn it...The Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi must apologise to the people,” Mr. Gadkari said addressing a press conference in Lucknow.

The BJP chief also announced a 24-hour agitation at district level across the country in protest against the “police high-handedness.”

Detailing the programme for the agitation, he said the party workers will hold satyagrah at Rajghat in Delhi.

Replying to questions, he said the issue of corruption should not be politicised.

At the same time, he said it was BJP which had raised the issue of black money and corruption first and that it will support the organisations fighting against it.

Ramdev reaches Dehra Dun, on way to Haridwar

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was flown out of Delhi to Dehra Dun by a special plane after the police swooped down on his hunger strike at the Ramlila Maidan in a midnight operation.

Baba Ramdev, who was initially taken to an undisclosed destination from the protest site, was flown to Dehra Dun from Palam Airport this morning, officials said.

On his arrival at the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehra Dun, Baba Ramdev, who was alone, was received by Uttarakhand government officials, they said.

“He was alone when he landed. He was received by officials at the airport. He will now proceed to Haridwar where he has an ashram,” Dehra Dun Senior Superintendent of Police G. S. Martolia said.

While leaving the airport for his ashram, he refused to speak to media persons, saying that he will hold a press conference later.

RSS condemns police action on Ramdev, followers

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday condemned the “brutal” midnight action on Baba Ramdev and his followers and said it was crude attempt by the government to protect the corrupt.

RSS spokesman Ram Madhav wondered whether it was democracy and rule of law in India or it is a police state where action is taken on peaceful protesters at midnight without notice.

He said the police action only showed the government was going out of the way to protect those who break laws and attack those who raise issues.

Ramdev deceived the entire country: Digvijay

PTI Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh. File Photo

Hours after Delhi police disrupted Baba Ramdev’s hunger strike, Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Sunday justified the action and demanded investigation into his activities since 1994, alleging that he has cheated many people.

Mr. Singh, who has been critical of Baba Ramdev for long, called him a “thug” and said the treatment meted out to him was appropriate for such a person.

“There are certain laws and regulations in the country, you cannot allow people like Ramdev to run riot in the capital city. He was trying to incite people in the Ramlila Maidan,” the Congress general secretary said.

Referring to the talks at the Claridges hotel between senior union ministers and Baba Ramdev two days back, Mr. Singh said the yoga guru had “reached an agreement but still went ahead with his fast. This is another way of fooling people. He deceived the entire country.”

Alleging that Baba Ramdev had indulged in “illegal” activities, the Congress leader said “there should be full investigation into his activities.”

He insisted that party has nothing to do with the action and said he would not comment on the administrative action.

Music, humour and yoga at Ramlila Grounds

PTI Baba Ramdev laughs while addressing his followers at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Friday.

Devotional and patriotic songs on Saturday reverberated across the Ramlila Grounds, the site of yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s hunger strike against black money, as his discourse was laced with humour and demonstration of ’asanas’

A music-filled morning greeted the thousands of people who poured into the sprawling site to see and listen to Baba Ramdev.

At 4:50 am, the yoga guru came on the dais accompanied by saffron-clad monks and he was joined by radical Sangh Parivar leader Sadhvi Ritambara and Muslim and Sikh religious leaders.

One-man show

It was almost a one-man show by Baba Ramdev who conducted the proceedings, interspersing yoga demonstration, discourse and music with a bit of humour to spice up the proceedings.

Whenever religious leaders came on the dais, Baba Ramdev would introduce, apparently to project that his movement was not sponsored by RSS or any other organisation.

Baba Ramdev continuously addressed the gathering and was followed by Sadhvi Ridambara who lavished praise on the Baba saying “if there were more Vallabbhai Patels, then there was no need for a sanyasi to sit on satyagraha.”

Maulvi Rizvi complimented the Sadhvi for her speech and said “this is not Mullah Omar’s Taliban. This is Hindustan,” drawing thunderous applause.

Message for the Obese!

Baba Ramdev was at his humorous best when he told his followers that the hunger strike will help them in two ways.

“Hamara mota bhai aur moti baheno ke liye yeh satyagrah health benefits dega aur desh ke liye wealth mil jayega” (while the hunger strike will help slim obese brothers and sisters, it will also bring wealth to the country)”.

He said support from politicians is welcome but they cannot make speeches.

“They can support us but they cannot make speeches because it leads to controversy,” he said.

The yoga guru then gave instructions to those who were fasting along with him, saying “we have arranged for water and lemon juice but don’t drink in large quantities.”

“By making this call, we can awaken the country. We have received more than 55 lakh missed calls already.

Sometime, we will cross a record one crore mark to remove corruption,” he said, referring to his campaign.

Bhojpuri star at agitation site

Bhojpuri superstar Manoj Tiwari was the first celebrity to reach Ramlila Maidan, the site of Baba Ramdev’s hunger strike. The popular singer-actor claimed that he had told his producer that he will not shoot for a month from June 4 as he wanted to join Baba Ramdev in his campaign against black money.

Tiwari began with Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajan ’Raghupati Raghav Rajaram’ and also sang other patriotic songs.

A young sadhu, who claimed to be a Bhuddhist yoga teacher, was seen recording the performance on his Blackberry.

Pranab convenes meet to discuss Ramdev demands

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday convened a meeting of senior ministers to further discuss the demands of Baba Ramdev who is on a hunger strike demanding immediate measures to get back the black money stashed away abroad.

The meeting comes shortly after the Baba took a two-hour break from his protest to discuss issues with government representatives on various issues related to his demands.

Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, Subodh Kant Sahay, Cabinet Secretary K. M. Chandrasekhar and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K. A. Nair were in the meeting called by Mr. Mukherjee in his North Block office.

Meanwhile, back-channel talks are on to resolve the stand-off in the wake of Baba Ramdev’s agitation.

Ramdev’s fast remotely controlled, Cong alleges

The Hindu Baba Ramdev during his fast against corruption. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Congress today targeted Baba Ramdev’s fast alleging it has been “remotely controlled or hijacked” by vested political interests with BJP and RSS and their several frontal organisations trying to destabilise the government through the campaign.

“It is most unfortunate that this common crusade against corruption is allowed to be remotely controlled or hijacked by vested political interests. The nation is aghast to see that BJP, RSS and their frontal organisations, which have repeatedly failed to get popular mandate, are trying to destabilise the government”, party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.

“By conceiving, controlling and coordinating the movement like the one at Ramlila Maidan, they are destabilising not only the government but the nation”, he said, in almost identical comments of party General Secretary Digvijay Singh who has been sharply critical of the yoga guru.

“What is Sadhvi Rithambara doing there? Sympathisers of RSS and BJP are at Ramlila Maidan and supporting this movement,” said Mr. Singhvi.

“We want to solve the problem but we don’t want any unreasonable and undemocratic steps to be taken,” Mr. Singhvi said when asked why the government was holding talks with Baba Ramdev.

Mr. Singhvi also attacked the “humongous” logistical arrangements at the Ramlila Maidan.

“Apart from private jets, there have been transportation arrangements and five-star facilities in the name of a fast. There is a mini-city within city. Who is financing these logistical operations?” he asked.

The nation “legitimately” wants to know what principles those who are revolting against black money and corruption are adhering to.

Mr. Sighvi emphasised that the UPA government has taken several measures to combat corruption and suggested that its works in this regard was “unparalleled”.

Assurance on law to check black money sent to Baba Ramdev

But will this assuage the yoga guru’s anger?

The government was virtually back to square one on the Baba Ramdev affair on Saturday evening, with the yoga guru accusing Union Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal of betraying his trust, within minutes of telling a cheering crowd at the Ramlila Maidan that the government had agreed to enact a law on black money, and that he would end his fast as soon as he received a clarificatory note on it. The day was expected to end with a resolution; instead, it ended with the stand-off in place.

Late on Saturday night, the government did dispatch the clarificatory note on the law on black money, declaring it as a national asset and providing for exemplary punishment. But at the time of writing, it wasn't clear whether this had assuaged Baba Ramdev's anger.

The dramatic change in the yoga guru's mood came after Mr. Sibal showed journalists a handwritten note Baba Ramdev had given the government, promising to announce at noon on Saturday that he would end his hunger strike on June 6.

The revelation of the note, which has embarrassed Baba Ramdev, was clearly an error of judgment on the part of the government, as it was no longer necessary. Earlier, a beleaguered government, under pressure from the Congress, and an object of ridicule in public for its “weakness,” had decided that if the yoga guru did not make a public announcement on Saturday, then the note would be its weapon to discredit him. But Baba Ramdev's phone call to Mr. Sibal obviated the necessity for such a revelation, as he had agreed to end his fast if the government gave him a written assurance on a law on black money.

RSS, VHP presence at fast venue irks Prashant Bhushan

Don't be taken in by Centre's empty assurances, he cautions Baba Ramdev

Member of the Joint Committee for drafting the Lokpal Bill Prashant Bhushan said here on Saturday that he disapproved of Baba Ramdev sharing his ‘indefinite fast against corruption' platform with leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an interactive session ‘Can the Lokpal Bill Instil Integrity' organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Bhushan said: “You cannot prevent anybody from supporting any movement but they [religious bodies] should not be allowed to use your platform. I am very unhappy that Sadhvi Ritambara and communal people from the RSS and other communal organisations are being allowed to use the platform.”

Mr. Bhushan, however, refused to comment on the demands raised by Baba Ramdev and the amount of money spent on arrangements at the fasting venue. “I cannot say anything about Baba Ramdev. He is his own person. I do not know how much money has been spent or where the money has come from. It is up to him.” He said he agreed with Baba Ramdev on most of his demands except the one on death penalty.

Mr. Bhushan had a suggestion for the yoga guru though. “I will caution him not to be taken in by empty assurances of the Centre. Let it either take some concrete action or at least give a written assurance which it will be more or less bound to honour. I say so because the government is a master at making assurances which they do not often fulfil.”

Speaking about the possibility of the Lokpal Bill draft being tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament as assured by the Centre, Mr. Bhushan said he was unsure. “We are apprehensive that it might not happen because so far the progress has been slow. However, if the government becomes serious and spends more time on it, it can still be brought in the monsoon session.”

On the current debate whether the Prime Minister should be brought within the ambit of the Lokpal, with the Centre disagreeing, Mr. Bhushan said that the purpose of the Lokpal would be “crippled” if irregularities in Ministries held by the Prime Minister were not allowed to be investigated.

“It makes no sense whatsoever to say that the Prime Minister should be immune from any corruption investigation.”

Civil society activists criticise police action at Ramlila Grounds

Supporters of Baba Ramdev on the dais after the police entered Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Saturday night. Photo: PTI

Civil society activists Shanti Bhushan and Swami Agnivesh on Sunday criticised the police action to end the hunger strike of Baba Ramdev with former Law Minister calling it an Emergency—like situation and demanding resignation of the Prime Minister.

However, Swami Agnivesh was equally critical of Baba Ramdev saying he should have called off the fast once the government gave him assurances on his demands. But instead he instigated his followers to continue the agitation and innocent men and women were attacked by the police.

Comparing the government’s action to that of Emergency in 1975, Mr. Bhushan said it shows to what extent the government can go to protect black money offenders.

Swami Agnivesh criticised the police action saying this kind of brutal lathicharge and tear gas shelling on sleeping followers was condemnable.

He also accused Baba Ramdev for instigating the crowd to stay back and continue with the agitation even after his demands were met.

“But not calling off the agitation and continuing with some provocative speeches were not helpful,” he said, adding the whole thing was based on some fishy deal.

Another activist and Anna Hazare camp follower, Arvind Kejriwal said the action shows this government is drunk with power and the whole country will agitate against this.

He said they would like the Prime Minister to explain as to what was the provocation for such a brutal action.

Ramdev dares government to arrest him with warrant

AP Chairs are seen overturned after the police removed protesters from the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, on Sunday.

Baba Ramdev, whose indefinite fast was ended abruptly by Delhi Police in a midnight swoop, on Sunday challenged the government to arrest him with a proper warrant and condemned the “excesses” on his followers.

Speaking to a TV channel from an undisclosed location, he termed the police operation at Ramlila Maidan, venue of his agitation, as unfortunate.

Baba Ramdev said that “they (he and his followers) have not committed any sin. So why is it that they were subjected to such brutality.” He also claimed that no police officer has spoken to him so far.

“I request the Prime Minister that if they want to arrest me, then they should arrest me with a proper warrant during the day time. Why they came like thieves and did this, it is unfortunate,” he said and also asked people to protest the police action.

He appealed to the people to lodge their protest against police action.

Assurance on law to check black money sent to Baba Ramdev

But will this assuage the yoga guru’s anger?

The government was virtually back to square one on the Baba Ramdev affair on Saturday evening, with the yoga guru accusing Union Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal of betraying his trust, within minutes of telling a cheering crowd at the Ramlila Maidan that the government had agreed to enact a law on black money, and that he would end his fast as soon as he received a clarificatory note on it. The day was expected to end with a resolution; instead, it ended with the stand-off in place.

Late on Saturday night, the government did dispatch the clarificatory note on the law on black money, declaring it as a national asset and providing for exemplary punishment. But at the time of writing, it wasn't clear whether this had assuaged Baba Ramdev's anger.

The dramatic change in the yoga guru's mood came after Mr. Sibal showed journalists a handwritten note Baba Ramdev had given the government, promising to announce at noon on Saturday that he would end his hunger strike on June 6.

The revelation of the note, which has embarrassed Baba Ramdev, was clearly an error of judgment on the part of the government, as it was no longer necessary. Earlier, a beleaguered government, under pressure from the Congress, and an object of ridicule in public for its “weakness,” had decided that if the yoga guru did not make a public announcement on Saturday, then the note would be its weapon to discredit him. But Baba Ramdev's phone call to Mr. Sibal obviated the necessity for such a revelation, as he had agreed to end his fast if the government gave him a written assurance on a law on black money.

I won't sit back and watch if attacks are made on me: Ramdev

Baba Ramdev during a morning session before the beginning of his fast against corruption at Ramlila Grounds, in New Delhi, on Saturday. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

With a massive crowd of supporters in attendance, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev began his fast unto death at the sprawling Ramlila Maidan here on Saturday, taking breaks in-between to head backstage for talks with government representatives over the phone.

Before embarking on the fast at 7 a.m., Ramdev and his supporters began the day with a yoga and bhajan session. Most of the supporters have come from the neighbouring States of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The organisers claimed that over one lakh supporters had registered at the counter by 9 a.m.

Addressing the gathering in the evening, the Yoga guru alleged there were attempts to cow him down with threats, the nature of which he said he would reveal only later. “In the Indian tradition, I will not be the one to attack first, but I will not sit back and watch if attacks are made at me,” he warned.

He exhorted his supporters to stay back at the fast site, and requested them not to turn violent in case he was arrested.

Denying allegations that he was an agent of the RSS or the BJP, Ramdev repeatedly stressed that his fast was not targeted at any party or individual. To a question on his political ambition, he said he would not contest elections and would spurn the post of Prime Minister or President if such a chance came calling.

Massive pandal

To a query on the cost incurred in pitching the large marquee, Ramdev said: “Making one such pandal is nothing big for me. Everyone knows I can get several like these built in a single day. All the people gathered here would be willing to pay for the cost,” he added, to a roar of approval from his supporters.

Ramdev said he and his supporters would not be satisfied by the “formation of a committee” to study his demands but wanted “concrete action,” especially on bringing back black money stashed away abroad to India and declaring them as national wealth and slapping sedition charges on those stashing away black money abroad.

The yoga guru retreated to back stage in the afternoon for over two hours after telling his supporters he was in touch with the government representatives over phone.

Among the prominent people who visited the pandal during the day included Sadhvi Rithambra, Bhojpuri actor-singer Manoj Tewari and Bollywood actor Raza Murad.

Though giant screens were installed, the sheer area occupied by the pandal rendered them ineffective for a large number of persons who were seen lounging about, hardly paying attention to the proceedings.

After police action, Ramlila Maidan gets a deserted look

PTI Supporters of Baba Ramdev argue with police personnel at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi after the police entered the protest venue, on Saturday night.

Twenty-four hours ago, the Ramlila Maidan was brimming with activity, sea of humanity descended there to join Baba Ramdev’s protest, but a late night police action gave the protest venue a deserted look.

The Ramlila Maidan, which has witnessed a series of historic protests, was filled with tear gas soon around 1.30 am after police swarmed the protest site and Baba Ramdev was whisked away by the police.

The premises, where the organisers claimed that over 50,000 people had joined the protest, lay deserted with mattresses thrown around, unattended bags, sandals and other articles.

Some people who were still in the pandal were forced to leave the place after the police action.

Deputy Commissioners of Police from several districts were asked to rushed to the spot.

Policemen deployed at the site were seen going around with hand-held microphones, announcing that the permission for the ‘Yoga camp’ has been cancelled.

They were forcing people out of the ground.

A DCP was seen shouting at armed police personnel who were sitting idle, saying they should be ashamed of themselves as some people refused to move.

Garbage collectors had tough day as they were seen collecting empty water bottle and other garbage from the spot.

An employee of Haridwar-based sound system company claimed that the damage was in thousands.

Midnight police swoop on Baba Ramdev; detention ends protest

Police personnel remove a supporter of Baba Ramdev from the Ramlila Grounds, early on Sunday. Photo: AP

With talks breaking down, police swooped down on Baba Ramdev a little past midnight and detained him after firing tear gas shells and resorting to lathicharge on his supporters to end his day-old indefinite hunger strike on black money issue.

The dramatic police action came after the government and the 46-year-old Yoga Guru had accused each other the previous night of betrayal on mutual assurances.

The drama that broke the midnight calm in the Ramlila Maidan a little after 1 AM unfolded when a large number of police personnel descended at the protest venue where Baba Ramdev was demanding immediate action to bring back black money stashed in foreign tax havens.

After day break, police cleared all the remnants of Baba’s support by evicting his followers from the protest site amidst stiff resistance.

Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said Baba Ramdev was detained as he was leaving the site.

Later sources said he was allowed to go out of Delhi and probably he was headed to Haridwar.

Earlier, Home Secretary G. K. Pillai had maintained that he was not arrested or detained, a point echoed by Delhi Police Commissioner B. K. Gupta, who also rushed to the spot.

Mr. Gupta said there were some security concerns and that the permission for the yoga camp has been cancelled.

He said Baba Ramdev’s supporters indulged in stone throwing. Police did not use force except using some tear gas, he added

A night of chaos

Chaos prevailed at the spot after 1.10 a.m. when news came that the yoga guru may be arrested after he decided to continue with his fast following with the worsening of stand between him and the government.

Soon, Baba Ramdev’s supporters formed human chains to prevent his arrest.

The sudden presence of a large number of police personnel led to a commotion as hundreds of supporters of Baba Ramdev surrounded amid speculation that he may be arrested.

Baba Ramdev appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to allow him to be arrested during daytime.

“Why am I being arrested without any information, at night? I appeal to people to maintain calm...,” a sweating Baba Ramdev said to his supporters.

A section of supporters threw pots, tripods and mike stands on policemen to prevent them from coming close to the stage.

The crowd dispersed from the stage after police fired teargas shells.

A police vehicle was seen entering at the site where chaos was seen, while Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were seen taking away some of the supporters from the site.

Banners were torn, mattresses and furniture were seen all over the site. Parts of the stage also caught a minor fire that broke out during the melee.

People were seen vacating the dais and the surrounding area after teargas enveloped the whole area.

Police said Section 144 has been imposed at the area under which any gathering of people would not be permitted.

The Ramlila Grounds was booked for one month by Baba Ramdev, who had also turned the venue for his satyagrah.

Organisers were seen asking people not to leave the pandal and continue to protest. Some of them, associated with Baba Ramdev’s movement, contacting their associates in respective States to protest against police action on Sunday morning.

A large number of people were leaving the spot, some were seen arguing with the policemen that why they have taken such an action when their protest was peaceful.

Bharat Swabhiman Trust chief Jaideep Arya claimed that Baba Ramdev has been arrested. However, Delhi Police refused to confirm the same.

30 injured

Around 30 people were injured when police fired teargas shells to disperse the crowd which had gathered at Ramlila Maidan to support Baba Ramdev.

“Almost thirty people, who sustained injuries have been admitted to nearby Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospital,” a senior medical official in LNJP hospital said.

Dr. Lokesh of the LNJP hospital said some of the followers, who were admitted, suffered limb and head injuries.

A senior police official said that some of the injured have also been admitted to AIIMS trauma centre and the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Number of casualties admitted in the two hospitals is not known yet, he said.

Some of the followers were also injured in the commotion while they were running to escape the teargas shells.

Four women followers of the Baba, who sustained injuries in their heads, told police that they will not go to hospital and instead sat on the footpath outside the Ramlila Maidan as a mark of protest.

“We were beaten up mercilessly...We will not go to the hospital. This is our protest,” one of the followers said.