New Delhi, August 14: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday called off his indefinite fast against corruption and black money at Ambedkar Stadium in the capital but said the agitation will continue till his demands are met.
Ramdev broke his five-day fast with lemon water given to him by two children. "I am ending the fast in the stadium, but agitation will go on till our demands are met," Ramdev said while addressing a huge gathering at the stadium.
He said he will be leaving for Haridwar, Uttarkhand, from the national capital.
Taking a potshot at Manmohan Singh, Ramdev said that the Prime Minister should not go to gurdwara. Manmohan Singh should become a baba like me, Ramdev said.
Launching all out attack on Congress, Ramdev said that it was responsible for corruption in India. Ramdev said that Congress was the most corrupt party in India.
BJP leader Ram Jethmalani shared stage with the yoga guru today. Jethmalani alleged that Rahul Gandhi was stashing black money abroad.
Ramdev also thanked SP leader Mulayam Singh and BSP chief Mayawati for their support on the issue of black money.
Ramdev will have to leave Ambedkar stadium today. There is no question of his staying on, Union home secretary R K Singh said on Tuesday.
Ramdev and his supporters were detained on Monday while they were marching towards Parliament and were shifted to Ambedkar Stadium in central Delhi.
Addressing a huge gathering at the stadium early on Tuesday, he said: "I had earlier said that I will end my fast in jail. This stadium is a makeshift jail. I had said I will call off my fast only after my supporters get food and water.
"Late in the night, they were provided with food and water. They have appealed to me to end the fast, so I will call if off at 11am today."
Ramdev, whose agitation entered day six on Tuesday, chose to stay on at the stadium on Monday despite Delhi Police asking him to leave. He is expected to announce his future course of action soon.
Police sources said Ambedkar Stadium falls on the route Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to take on his way to the Red Fort to unfurl the tricolour on Independence Day and the area had to be "security cleared".
Ramdev had launched a three-day symbolic fast Aug 9 for the return of black money, a strong Lokpal Bill, and a transparent process in naming heads of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Election Commission. On Saturday evening, he extended his fast and threatened a "revolution" after the government failed to react.
Comments
Add new comment