New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) There was high drama in the heart of the capital Monday as Baba Ramdev was detained while leading a big march to parliament to push his demand for bringing back black money stashed abroad. Many political parties, including those supporting the government, came out in open support of his campaign.
Ramdev and a few thousands of his supporters were stopped and detained for almost five hours while on their way to parliament, which is in session.
Police had a tough time getting his supporters to board around 100 buses as they kept alighting and shouting slogans. Some of them also lay down on the road, triggering long traffic snarls.
With Ramdev’s supporters moving at snail’s pace, police decided to detain them at Ambedkar Stadium close to Ramlila Maidan.
After being let off by police in the evening, Ramdev refused to leave the Ambedkar stadium and addressed his supporters there.
Before Ramdev launched his march, a host of political leaders joined him on his podium at Ramlila Maidan – including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav, Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy and some Akali Dal leaders.
After speeches slamming the government’s “inaction” on black money, Ramdev led his teeming tricolour-waving and black bandana-sporting supporters on a march to Parliament House. But police disallowed the protest outside parliament.
Security personnel, including paramilitary force personnel, were present in strength to stop him at Ranjit Singh flyover that leads to Connaught Place in central Delhi.
“Ours is a peaceful march. There was no intention to spread violence and unrest. But police are stopping us on the orders of the government,” the saffron-robed Ramdev said, perched on top of a bus, before police stopped him.
“The Congress is not with us,” said Ramdev, sporting a black bandana, as his supporters cheered.
A police official gingerly held Ramdev’s hand to show he was being detained, perhaps keeping in mind the controversy over Delhi Police’s brutal action on his sleeping supporters a year ago in which a woman lost her life.
According to Delhi Police, some of the supporters were detained and taken to Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Bawana, 20 km away, but majority of them had to be detained in Ambedkar Stadium.
Ramdev, whose protest against corruption and black money continued for the fifth day Monday, appealed to the government to heed his demands, failing which he threatened to march to Parliament House.
However, the government remained unmoved. Unlike the earlier time when three senior ministers were sent to the airport to talk to Ramdev before his last protest, this time no government emissary went to speak to the yoga guru.
Unfazed by the support his campaign had garnered, including from United Progressive Alliance (UPA) supporters Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, the ruling Congress accused Ramdev of fighting a “political battle” in the name of campaigning against black money and said his real intentions have been exposed.
Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi, referring to Gadkari and other political leaders sharing the dias with Ramdev, said Ramdev’s “mask” had come off.
“The real face (of Ramdev) has been exposed to the people,” he said.
The issue of black money also echoed in parliament with the BJP creating a ruckus in the Lok Sabha on the issue, leading to an adjournment of the house.
Sharing the stage with Ramdev at the Ramlila Maidan, Gadkari said the yoga guru’s agitation “should not be seen from political lenses” and his party did not expect any political support from Ramdev.
“We will actively support Ramdev’s agitation against corruption and black money,” he said, adding Ramdev had “no political intentions”.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati, addressing reporters outside parliament, said they would support anyone raising their voice against black money.
JD-U leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Biju Janata Dal chief and Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik too supported Ramdev’s campaign.
Ramdev launched a three-day symbolic fast Aug 9 for the return of black money, a strong Lokpal Bill, and a transparent process in naming heads of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Election Commission. On Saturday evening, he extended his fast and threatened a “revolution” after the government failed to react.
