Thousands lend support to Ramdev; Digvijay
slams 'five-star satyagraha'
Saturday June 04, 2011 01:08:45 PM,
ummid.com & Agencies
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New Delhi:
Even as thousands
of people Saturday assembled at the Ramlila Ground in central
Delhi as yoga guru Baba Ramdev went ahead with his fast against
corruption and black money amid tight security, Congress leader
Digvijay Singh criticized the controversial Baba terming his
protest as a 'five-star satygraha'.
"It is overwhelming to see the huge crowd that has gathered in
support of our crusade against corruption. The journey is long and
I request the supporters to stay calm," Ramdev said to a
thunderous crowd as he began his hunger strike.
"We are not going to bow down to any political party or
conspiracy. It will be a peaceful protest," Ramdev said.
The yoga guru decided to go ahead with the fast after a meeting
with the government representatives Friday failed to reach a
compromise over the demands he has raised against graft practices
in India.
Supporters from all across the country poured in at the venue
early morning to register themselves before joining the yoga guru
in his fast.
"I have come here to show that corruption is not just one man's
issue. It is the entire country's concern whether Baba Ramdev does
it, or Anna Hazare does it," said 42-year-old Ashok Chauhan, an
income tax officer from Jaipur.
Another supporter, Suresh Tanwar from Haryana, said: "We will die,
but not go away until the government takes a strong action against
corruption. This is a mass movement that will not die down
easily."
The yoga guru has asked the government to take urgent steps to
bring back black money stashed away abroad by Indians and also
take effective measures to curb rampant graft in the country.
He said the agitation was "democratic and non-violent" and "not
against any party or to bring down the government".
"A few corrupt people have given a bad name to this country. We
have to do something," Ramdev said to the humongous gathering.
'Five-Star
satyagraha'
Taking a dig at Baba Ramdev's
luxurious lifestyle, Congress leader Digvijay Singh Saturday
slammed the yoga guru's fast against corruption by calling it a
"five star satyagraha".
"The Baba travels in a private jet, stays in a five-star luxury
hotel, and has the money for such arrangements before going on a
fast. This is surely a five-star satyagraha as you doubt his
credibilty," the senior leader said.
He also questioned Ramdev's "strong affiliations with the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)".
"The foot soldiers in the fast are from the RSS. It is evident
that he is piggybacking on the RSS," he said.
The yoga guru began his fast Saturday morning at the capital's
Ramlila Ground. He has been demanding that the government take
urgent steps to bring back black money stashed abroad by Indians
and also take effective measures to curb rampant graft in the
country.
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