Making it clear that the government is in no mood buckle under pressure, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday justified the midnight crackdown on Baba Ramdev at Delhi’s Ramlila Grounds on Saturday night.
Breaking his silence, the PM said, “It is very unfortunate, but there was no alternative.” The PM’s observation came on a day that the Supreme Court and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the Delhi government and the Centre on the police action.
The BJP described the PM’s statement as “bizarre” and said it will hold nationwide “peaceful protests”. A team of BJP leaders met President Pratibha Patil to demand a special session of Parliament to discuss the issue. BJP president Nitin Gadkari, who spoke to Baba Ramdev Monday morning, said the party was “with people who fight against corruption”.
On Monday, making it virtually evident that the operation against Baba Ramdev and his supporters had the clearance of the PM and the top Congress leadership, the party and its ministers continued to target the high-flying yoga guru. The enforcement and revenue intelligence agencies are also getting ready to take a look at Ramdev’s assets, which are believed to be worth nearly `1,000 crore.
Speaking to the media, Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad lashed out: “On Ramdev’s part there was a betrayal.” Mr Azad also put the onus of the “timing” of the midnight crackdown on Ramdev’s supporters at the Ramlila Maidan on the law enforcement authorities. He pointed out that Ramdev had agreed to announce the time he would end his fast against black money and that the government had informed him of the deadline, which was extended several times, but he did not keep his promise.
Somewhat cornered and confined to Hardwar where he resumed his fast after the UP administration refused him permission to go on hungerstrike in Noida, Ramdev, while addressing the media, threatened that the “Centre will not be able to bear the consequences of the satyagraha”. While saying that the Prime Minister “did not discharge his national duty (apna rashtriya dharma nahin nibhaye)”, the yoga guru, however, played safe by claiming he “personally respects the Prime Minister”. Ramdev, who tried to keep up the high drama by addressing a press conference in a salwar-kameez (the dress he wore while fleeing the scene on Saturday), said: “It was not a weakness to be in a woman’s dress. A mother gives birth to a man.”
In a desperate bid to muster political support, he said, “Except the Congress, all political parties are supporting me”. Apprehending that he could just be left with only saffron support, Ramdev said: “Though some are criticising me, I know they are supporting me from their hearts (sic). I am getting support from everywhere, including spiritual and religious organisations.” Ramdev “thanked” the Supreme Court” for taking suo motu notice of the crackdown.
The NHRC issued notices to the Central and Delhi governments seeking reports within two weeks on the midnight crackdown. Notices have been issued to the Union home secretary, Delhi chief secretary and the Delhi police commissioner.