New Delhi:
Baba Ramdev's remark that he will raise an army of 11,000 men and women who will be trained to attack if action is taken against them has been declared "anti-national" by the government. The BJP's Sushma Swaraj avoided commenting on the controversy during her visit to the Baba's ashram. Civil society activists led by Anna Hazare said, "We disagree with this statement...we believe in non-violent protest."
The government made its stand clear. "It is anti-national and we have to take action," warned V Narayanswamy, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.
(Watch) An hour later, the Home Minister weighed in. "I've seen Ramdev's statement. By making that statement he's exposed his true colours and intention. Let him do so and the law will deal with that," P Chidambaram said this evening.
The provocative comment from the yoga teacher was made this morning. "20 youth from each region will come forward for our fight against corruption," he said."They must be dedicated, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. They will be given arms training.Next time at Ramlila it will be Ravanlila. Let's see who gets beaten up."
(Watch) However, late in the evening, Baba Ramdev clarified the arms call. A statement issued by the yoga guru said that he did not mean training of guns or bombs and the intention is not to take law in their hands. (
Read: Baba Ramdev clarifies arms call)
The government has been caught in a face-off with the yoga icon since the weekend, when it ordered the police to dismantle a massive camp that the Baba had organised - it combined yoga with a sit-in against corruption. On Saturday, the Baba launched an indefinite hunger strike. Hours later, the police moved in and arrested the Baba. The 65,000 people gathered at Ramlila Maidan were teargassed and lathi-charged.
The incident brought together activists and opposition parties who condemned the government for breaking up a peaceful demonstration.
In fact, Gandhian Anna Hazare was also on a one-day fast today at Rajghat in the capital to protest against the action at Ramlila Maidan, and to push the government to agree to a new corruption law that's being drafted partly by activists led by him. Mr Hazare- the face of a campaign named India Against Corruption - declared today that the movement is a "second freedom movement."
(Read: Anna's ultimatum to the Govt) If the government doesn't introduce the new Lokpal Bill by August 15, he warned, he will go on another fast.
Govt says Anna's call for 'second freedom struggle' is unacceptableThe government bristled at Mr Hazare's remarks. "Anna has called for a second freedom movement...a second freedom movement against whom?" asked Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan. "What he has said today is unacceptable. A second freedom movement against whom? This is a lawfully-elected government..a parliament elected by the people of India. To launch a parallel movement by people who proclaim they will not stand for election is a complete subversion."
The Congress today also said that the Ramdev movement was drafted and backed by the BJP's parent body, the Rashriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). Ms Natarajan attacked BJP leader Sushma Swaraj for visiting Baba Ramdev in Hairdwar today. The Congress asked if the BJP plans to support a man who is expressing anti-national sentiments. When asked about the Baba's call to arms, Mrs Swaraj had avoided comment.
The government's stringent new attitude towards Mr Hazare and other activists is a marked departure from its approach over recent months. Since Mr Hazare went on a nearly week-long hunger strike in April, the government has tried to appease his team, mainly because of the national goodwill and support that Mr Hazare evoked. Mr Hazare demanded -and won - the right to have five activists including himself draft a new bill against corruption with the government. The Lokpal Bill Drafting Committee pairs five ministers with these non-elected representatives. Consensus on key isses remains evasive - the activists want the Bill to apply to the Prime Minister's office; they also want all meetings of the committee to be recorded for public disclosure. The government has rejected both those features.
After the action against Baba Ramdev, the government has taken the offensive against activists. On more than one occasion now, Mr Hazare's language has been described as "unacceptable." Yesterday, senior minister Kapil Sibal warned that the Lokpal Bill will be drafted entirely by the government if Team Hazare doesn't attend meetings.
(Watch: How can Anna call us cheats, asks Kapil Sibal)