A day after the government sent a strong message that Baba Ramdev’s call to arms will be dealt with according to the law, the yoga guru hurriedly came up with a clarification claiming that he was not a votary of violence and that his views were misrepresented.
In a statement issued in Hardwar, S.K. Tijarawala, Ramdev’s spokesperson, said, “We neither support nor intend to take law in our hand. We do not mean either training of guns, bombs or practice killing someone or being violent. Our Constitution is supreme.” But we have the right to defend ourselves, he said.
He further clarified, “The yoga guru spoke about building a nationalist force of 11,000 strong and patriotic people capable of defending self, common man and our nation from day-to-day corruption and the evil system.” These people will be given training in yoga techniques such as “pranayam”, traditional arts like wrestling, karate and “dand-baithak” (physical exercise), he said in his statement. They will protest and defend Gandhian principles and practices like non-violence, fasting, prayers, non-cooperation, protest marches, said the statement. In Hardwar, the yoga guru who is on a fast since June 4, told reporters: “My fast will continue till my objective is achieved. I do not care even if I die. The fast will go on.”
Meanwhile, the central probe agencies, including the income-tax department are scrutinising documents related to recent yoga camps organised by organisations associated with Ramdev.
Sources said, “As per existing law, yoga centres (temporary/permanent) come under the service tax net. There are reports that organisations who organise Ramdev’s yoga camps charge hefty amount from the people”. The central agencies are probing whether these organisations pay service tax or not, sources added.
“Officials of the central agencies are also expected to visit Patanjali Yogpeeth, founded by Ramdev, next week. Besides, documents related to a workshop, organised by the organisations associated with Ramdev, in Chattisgarh in 2008 are being collected by the I-T department,” sources said. Agencies are also probing alleged violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in receiving overseas funds, if any, by organisations associated with Ramdev, sources added.