New Delhi, Jun 3: A combative Swami Ramdev, coming out after a marathon five-hour long talks with two Union ministers told a huge gathering at Ramlila Maidan that he would begin his indefinite fast from Saturday morning “till all the demands are met”.
The saffron-clad Baba also warned the government not to try to disrupt the Satyagraha. “Yadi sarkar ne hamen dabaane ki koshish ki toh phir theek nahin hoga.” (if the government tries to suppress us, then it will not bode well.)
Baba Ramdev said, his satyagraha would be “peaceful and Constitutional”. So long as the government does not agree to fulfil all our demands “100 per cent” legally and authoritatively, the fast will continue, he added.
“I had told with full sensitivity that it was not my objective to dislodge anybody from power. Now (that the talks have failed) this war for justice has begun”, said Ramdev.
The yoga guru claimed, nearly one crore people will sit on fast throughout the country on Saturday to press the government on the issue of black money.
“This maidan is not for my people to watch Ram Lila. We have come here for Ravan-Vadh, in this case the Ravan is corruption”, said Ramdev to tumultous applause.
“All those who have come here are not hired people. They have come here to fight for truth and honesty”, said Ramdev.
Baba Ramdev asked his supporters to raise both hands and shout Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
The yoga guru said: “Nobody on earth can suppress Baba Ramdev or can he be purchased”.
In the morning, addressing the gathering, Ramdev said his agitation was neither “politically motivated or communal” nor he had any “underground agenda” as was being portrayed by some sections.
“...Barring one or two issues, a consensus seems to be emerging between us and the government,” said the yoga guru.
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. To Refrain from lying and stealing is also part of yoga and I am trying to bring those who have crossed that limit back within the limit.”
The spiritual guru said corrupt officials and politicians have converted India's ‘ganatantra' (republic) into a ‘bhrashta-tantra'(corrupt system).
“The entire nation is in anger over the issue of corruption and black money and the government must take note of it”, he said. Ramdev told the gathering that he had not made a special ‘hut' for himself as has been portrayed in some sections of the media. “I will sit here (on fast) with all of you and sleep here too. If you will given lemon and water, I will simply take water”, said Ramdev, outlining the contours of his fast which is to begin on Saturday.
In an apparent reference to suggestions that his movement is aimed at undermining Gandhian Anna Hazare's agitation on the same issue, Ramdev said, “We do not want to show anyone as inferior or defeat anybody.”
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.” Claiming that there are many corrupt people like “Hasan Ali and A Raja” in the country, he said “Ravan of corruption will be killed in Ramleela Maidan” and maintained that there will “Satyagraha against corruption in 624 villages” across the country from tomorrow.
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, Ramdev said, “Those on constitutional posts must have failed to some extent so that we are being forced to take up these issues.”
He said there should be fast-track courts to try graft cases and those who have looted crores via corrupt practices should be given life term or death sentence. PTI
