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| Baba Ramdev addresses his supporters on the eve of his hunger strike against corruption at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Friday. Photo: S. Subramanium |
With barely 24 hours left for Baba Ramdev’s “satyagraha” against corruption and black money, the government on Friday initiated a fresh round of talks to persuade him to give up his proposed agitation.
Senior Ministers Kapil Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay met Baba Ramdev at a hotel in New Delhi just an hour after the yoga guru addressed thousands of his supporters at the Ramlila Maidan, where he indicated that a consensus was emerging on all issues raised by him barring one or two.
Before the crucial talks with Baba Ramdev, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and some of their colleagues went into a huddle to prepare a draft for the meeting.
Making all-out efforts to placate the yoga guru, the government made senior Ministers stay put in the capital.
While Mr. Mukherjee scrapped his plan to visit Kolkata, Law Minister Veerappa Moily ended up cancelling his scheduled trip to Mangalore apparently for the same reason.
The meeting between Mr. Sibal, Mr. Sahay and Mr. Ramdev came after Baba Ramdev’s address to his supporters where he indicated a softening of his stance.
”...Barring one or two issues, a consensus seems to be emerging between us and the government,” said the yoga guru, who had held his first round of talks with senior Ministers, including Mr. Mukherjee, who had met him at the airport after his arrival in New Delhi on June 1.
Hectic back-channel efforts were on for the last two days to placate Baba Ramdev, who has raised the issues of black money and corruption, as the government is keen to avert an Anna Hazare-like protest on the streets.
Addressing a gathering of more than 5,000 people, Baba Ramdev said his movement is being undertaken in “national interest” and is not sponsored by any political party.
“Our agitation is not against any political party or individual. We are neutral, not being sponsored by any party or organisation and people from all castes and religion are joining us. We appeal to all parties to join us. We are erecting a special stage where representatives from all parties can come to put forth their point of view,” he said.
Flanked by leaders of various religions, he also tried to deflect criticism that he is crossing the tenets of yoga by taking up issue of corruption. “I am not crossing the limits of Yoga. Not lying and stealing is also part of yoga and I am trying to bring those who have crossed that limit back within the limit.”
In an apparent reference to suggestions that his movement is aimed at undermining Mr. Hazare’s agitation on the same issue, Baba Ramdev said, “We do not want to show anyone as inferior or defeat anybody.”
Baba Ramdev claimed his movement was aimed at bringing back the Rs. 400 lakh crore black money stashed overseas and change the corrupt system. “Not all politicians, businessmen and officers are corrupt but those who are corrupt among them have created a black empire by looting people’s money. Some people have hijacked democracy and turned it into a corrupt system.”
The fight against corruption will not be easy as those who benefit from graft are powerful, he said, adding “I am ready to fast for not only three days but for 30 days as we are doing it for the starving people in the country,” he said.
He demanded a public service delivery act under which government officials have to respond to any issue brought by common man within a time-frame, failing which they will be fined and suspension will be given to repeat offenders.
Apparently targeting his critics, Baba Ramdev said, “Those on Constitutional posts must have failed to some extent so that we are being forced to take up these issues.”
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