Nothing wrong in Ritambhara sharing dais with Ramdev: Hegde

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Justice N. Santosh Hegde, a member of civil society in the joint drafting committee for Lokpal Bill, on Saturday said there is nothing wrong in the presence of Sangh Parivar leader Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais where Baba Ramdev is on a hunger strike against black money.

“So far as the presence Sadhvi Ritambhara is concerned, she may be an accused in Ayodhya (Babri Masjid demolition) case but we are not supporting that cause. We are supporting only the fight against corruption. If she wants to fight against corruption, I do not see why she should not be allowed to do that”, he said.

When told that Ramdev had assured Anna Hazare on Friday that no communal element will be allowed to join his “satyagraha”, Hegde said “suppose Muslim League comes out on Sunday to support, will they say the same thing”?

Hegde said “there are so many people like that who have been accused but are holding high political offices but on the ground until they are proved guilty, they are innocent”.

Responding to a question about conflict of interest between Anna Hazare-led civil society and Ramdev’s protest, justice Hegde said “so far as Baba’s hunger strike is concerned, it is against corruption and we are also fighting against corruption. Therefore, there is no conflict and hence we welcome it and support it”.

Asked about his coming to Delhi on Sunday, Hegde said from Bengaluru that “I am speaking for myself. Not as members of Lokpal committee.”