Ramdev ‘pardons’ govt, says open for talks

Zeenews Bureau

Haridwar, 08 June 2011: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday said that he had pardoned the UPA government for the crackdown on his satyagraha at the Ramlila Ground in Delhi on the intervening night of June 5-6. 

 

“If the Prime Minister thinks that the Ramlila Ground incident was unfortunate, then I too have no regrets. I have also pardoned the government and the Delhi Police for its brutality, but the damage which they have done to the democratic institutions of the country cannot be reversed at any cost,” he said. 

 

The yoga guru, however, said that he crusade against corruption and black money will continue till the government takes some concrete measures to tackle them.

 

 

He told reporters that he was ready to hold talks with the central government if duly approached and if the negotiations are transparent. 

 

However, he regretted that the Delhi Police officials are now trying to destroy evidence suggesting their brutal crackdown on innocent satyagrahis on that fateful day.

 

His remarks come in the wake of reports that Delhi Police yesterday raided the office of the firm, which was given the contract to install CCTV and other equipments at the satyagrah venue, in a bid to destroy all evidence. 

 

Baba Ramdev also urged his supporters to immediately call off their hunger strike and expressed his gratitude for the enormous support they have given to him. 

 

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh broke his silence on the police action against Ramdev and termed it as "unfortunate". 

 

The Prime Minister, however, justified the action saying there was "no alternative". 

 

He asserted that his government was "concerned" and "serious" about fighting corruption but maintained that there was "no magic wand" to do so. 

 

On the issue of corruption being flagged by civil society activists and parties, the Prime Minister said, "the government is serious and we are concerned about corruption and blackmoney. There is no doubt. But there is no magic wand." 

 

With regard to demands that the Prime Minister should be brought under the purview of Lokpal, Singh refused to comment saying the issue was before the joint drafting committee comprising ministers and members from civil society. 

 

The apex court and the National Human Rights Commission have taken strong cognizance of the police crackdown and have sought a report.