Yogi Baba Ramdev's three-day symbolic fast draws thousands

09 August, 2012

Once a yogi who would talk about regaining health on his TV channel 'Astha', Baba Ramdev has again started talking about regaining the country's wealth - which has been stashed away in overseas banks. Thousands of people waving the tri-colour have flocked to the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi where the yogi has started his three-day symbolic fast.

MORE THAN a year after he was bundled out of Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, yoga guru Baba Ramdev has taken to the venue again, and has begun his three-day symbolic fast against corruption and black money. Thousands of people, mostly his fervent supporters drawn from various parts of the country, have flocked to the ground, waving the tri-colour and shouting slogans in favour of Baba and against corruption.

Unlike Anna Hazare's agitation, the Baba claims that his agitation has nothing to do with politics, but his revolution, as he calls it, will seek an end to corruption and change the system. “This is a revolt that will be of 121 crore Indians,” Baba told India Today.

Baba believes that the country's resources are in the grip of a few, and they have to be 'freed from their clutches'. Going beyond his usual rhetoric of corruption and black money, Baba has demanded that the process of selection of heads of the CBI, CVC, CAG and CEC must be made transparent besides he wants a Public Service Delivery Guarantee Act.

Another demand of Baba that assumes significance is that 'taxation should be improved'. Pertinent to mention here is that only a couple of days back CNN-IBN claimed to have accessed excise intelligence report that 'exposed' how Baba had failed to pay taxes. Though the Baba has vehemently denied the claim but that is what even tainted politicians do.

Clearly showing that he had a fan-following unlike Anna Hazare, Baba said that his agitation would be backed by crores of Indians. “Government is not afraid of 2,000-3,000 people. It is scared when 2-3 crore people demand change. Ramlila Maidan will be a full house. Crores of Indians will join my revolt. Ramlila Maidan will be an assembly of citizens, not my cadres,” Baba claimed.

Gayatri Singh has came all the way from Jharkhand along with a contingent of 500 people. “I haven't come here to take part in yoga. I have come here to support Baba's protest against corruption and black money. I'll stay till the protests continue.

Another supporter Jawarani Mandal has been associated with Baba's movement for a long time now. “I came here with my entire team. We are about 200 people. We have come here to support the agitation conducted by Ramdev Baba. We will support him till the end. And we will not end our protest till our demands are not met,” Mandal told NNIS.