New Delhi:
What began as a peaceful process of negotiations between the Government and yoga icon Baba Ramdev has now broken out into a hostile exchange between both sides. Each side is now accusing the other of reneging on the agreements reached in discussions over the last two days.
The government says it has written proof that Mr Ramdev and his supporters had reached an agreement and would call off their fast. Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Telecom, and a minister who has been speaking to Mr Ramdev, today released a letter signed by the yoga icon's associate of an apparent agreement. The government says the stir was to end today and Mr Ramdev went back on his word. In some tough talk, Mr Sibal said, "This government has always reached out but can also reign in."
Mr Sibal said the government had assured the yoga icon of setting up a committee to frame a law on national assets.
The government has, meanwhile, sent a written assurance to Baba Ramdev on enacting a law on black money and declaring it as national asset for which a committee will be set up.
Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai told reporters that the letter has been sent to the yoga guru and expressed hope that he would call off the hunger strike which began here this morning.
Earlier, Mr Ramdev had said he still wanted an agreement from the government and until then nothing would change.
Not one to be left behind, Mr Ramdev hit back, accusing the government of betraying him. "The government is lying if they are claiming that I'd told them about calling off the stike on June 6," he said.
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee met with senior ministers Kapil Sibal, Subodh Kant Sahay and P Chidambaram earlier on Saturday to further discuss the demands of the yoga icon. Union Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T K A Nair were also in attendance at the meeting.
Meanwhile, thousands turned up at the Ramlila Ground in the national capital today to support the yoga icon's fast which he describes as a "satyagraha against corruption and black money."
(Watch: Thousands gather at Ramlila Maidan) |
(In Pictures: Baba Ramdev's satyagraha) But, the inaugural day of the fast was marred by controversy and criticism after Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader and Babri Masjid demolition accused Sadhvi Rithambara joining him on the stage.
(Watch: Sadhvi Rithambara shares stage with Baba Ramdev) A number of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists were also seen at the site.
The Congress immediately seized upon the opportunity with senior leader Digvijaya Singh slamming Mr Ramdev's campaign as being supported by the VHP and the RSS. He also dubbed his fast a "5-star satyagraha."
(Watch - Ramdev's '5-star satyagraha' has RSS support: Digvijaya) | (Congress: RSS, BJP controlling Ramdev's protest)Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told NDTV, "There is absolutely no doubt it is a good crusade. But you just cannot allow such movements to be hijacked by political, vested interests."
People who see communal agenda have lost mental balance...it is wrong to say that I am creating instability in the country", Mr Ramdev said.