Bangalore:
Yoga icon Baba Ramdev's eviction from the Ramlila Ground last night led to huge uproar from across the society. Political as well as religious leaders expressed shock over the midnight police crackdown.
Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar has released a statement on the incident which says, "Sri Sri expresses deep dismay at the turn of incidents last midnight. He advises people to maintain calm and be more resolute in fighting corruption and black money."
The statement also says that Sri Sri Ravishankar is cutting short his trip abroad and rushing back to India.
Last night, Baba Ramdev was evicted from New Delhi after a late night police crackdown at the Ramlila Ground.
At 1 am, close to 600 policemen arrived at Ramlila Maidan to demand that the crowd of 60,000 supporters disperse. Their argument was that the gathering had been granted permission only for a yoga camp and not as a mass demonstration.
A group of policemen trooped onto the stage, reportedly after some people threw stones at them. The Baba asked them to go away. He then leapt from his stage, his saffron robes fanning out behind him, into the crowd of supporters. Seated on a follower's shoulders, the Baba then delivered a lengthy speech, waving his fist in the air. Finally, the police managed to get to him.