Ramdev a 'face of RSS', says government justifying crackdown

Accusing him of being a front for the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), the government Sunday said the action against Ramdev and his supporters was justified.

"Today it has become clear that he is another face of the RSS," a combative Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said in the first official reaction on the forced dispersal of Ramdev and thousands of his supporters from Ramlila ground after midnight Saturday.

Sibal said Ramdev had told the government he would only hold a yoga camp for about 5,000 people at the Ramlila ground. "How did he collect 50,000 people?" the minister asked.

Saying the government was confident of handling any situation following Ramdev's externment from Delhi, he refused to go into details of the talks he and other ministers had with the yoga guru.

The government held more than one round of talks with Ramdev before he went on a hunger strike Saturday morning against corruption and black money stashed abroad by Indians.

"What we have done is right," Sibal told reporters.

MHA asks DoT for timeline on domestic telecom equipment policy

The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought information from the DoT on the timeline for implementing a new policy to promote domestic manufacturers of telecom equipment and cut down the country's reliance on imports.

Most of the equipment used in Indian telecom networks at present is imported. The government has expressed apprehensions that imported telecom equipment may contain malware or bugs that will leak sensitive communications data to third parties, which could pose a threat to the nation's security.

To ensure the long-term security of India's telecom network, the MHA has expressed its desire to increase local production of critical components -- both hardware and software -- in the country.

The Department of Telecommunications has indicated that the forthcoming National Telecom Policy 2011 will give preferential treatment to local manufacturers. In this regard, telecom regulator TRAI has already given its recommendations on a proposed Telecom Equipment Manufacturing Policy to the DoT.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has suggested giving preferential treatment to made-in-India products -- besides incentives to telecom operators to source domestically manufactured equipment -- with the objective of ensuring that 80 per cent of India's telecom services network is based on indigenously manufactured equipment by 2020, up from just 3 per cent in the year 2009-10.

While the DoT is still studying TRAI's recommendations, the MHA's views on providing incentives to promote indigenous production have found concurrence within the DoT.

However, when Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had held discussions on the issue with industry players in the first week of May, telecom operators criticised the need for giving preferential treatment to domestic manufacturers of telecom products.

When contacted on the issue, a senior DoT official said most of the officials in the department were busy responding to various enquiry committees set up by the government on the 2G spectrum scam and hence, a definitive timeline for implementation of the proposed National Telecom Manufacturing Policy could not be committed at this stage.

Ramdev a 'face of RSS', says government justifying crackdown

Accusing him of being a front for the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), the government Sunday said the action against Ramdev and his supporters was justified.

"Today it has become clear that he is another face of the RSS," a combative Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said in the first official reaction on the forced dispersal of Ramdev and thousands of his supporters from Ramlila ground after midnight Saturday.

Sibal said Ramdev had told the government he would only hold a yoga camp for about 5,000 people at the Ramlila ground. "How did he collect 50,000 people?" the minister asked.

Saying the government was confident of handling any situation following Ramdev's externment from Delhi, he refused to go into details of the talks he and other ministers had with the yoga guru.

The government held more than one round of talks with Ramdev before he went on a hunger strike Saturday morning against corruption and black money stashed abroad by Indians.

"What we have done is right," Sibal told reporters.

MHA asks DoT for timeline on domestic telecom equipment policy

The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought information from the DoT on the timeline for implementing a new policy to promote domestic manufacturers of telecom equipment and cut down the country's reliance on imports.

Most of the equipment used in Indian telecom networks at present is imported. The government has expressed apprehensions that imported telecom equipment may contain malware or bugs that will leak sensitive communications data to third parties, which could pose a threat to the nation's security.

To ensure the long-term security of India's telecom network, the MHA has expressed its desire to increase local production of critical components -- both hardware and software -- in the country.

The Department of Telecommunications has indicated that the forthcoming National Telecom Policy 2011 will give preferential treatment to local manufacturers. In this regard, telecom regulator TRAI has already given its recommendations on a proposed Telecom Equipment Manufacturing Policy to the DoT.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has suggested giving preferential treatment to made-in-India products -- besides incentives to telecom operators to source domestically manufactured equipment -- with the objective of ensuring that 80 per cent of India's telecom services network is based on indigenously manufactured equipment by 2020, up from just 3 per cent in the year 2009-10.

While the DoT is still studying TRAI's recommendations, the MHA's views on providing incentives to promote indigenous production have found concurrence within the DoT.

However, when Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had held discussions on the issue with industry players in the first week of May, telecom operators criticised the need for giving preferential treatment to domestic manufacturers of telecom products.

When contacted on the issue, a senior DoT official said most of the officials in the department were busy responding to various enquiry committees set up by the government on the 2G spectrum scam and hence, a definitive timeline for implementation of the proposed National Telecom Manufacturing Policy could not be committed at this stage.

Ramdev supporters in US condemn police crackdown

WASHINGTON: Supporters of Baba Ramdev in the US today condemned the police crackdown on his fast against corruption in New Delhi, claiming that it was an act of treachery against the yoga guru and his followers.

A large number of Indian Americans, who gathered in more than two dozen cities across the US yesterday to show solidarity with his movement back home, became agitated following the news of the crackdown.

"The Indian diaspora condemns it. We urge everybody to join in the movement to restore democracy and civility in India," said Bhishma Agnihotri, the former Indian Ambassador-at-Large, for NRIs & PIOs, at a meeting in Houston.

Referring to the turn of events at the Ramlila Maidan last night, Agnihotri, president of the of Bharat Swabhiman Overseas, said: "It was an act of treachery upon Baba Ramdev and his followers, who had come to present their demands against rampant corruption in India."

"We, the people of Indian-origin all over the world are deeply depressed, embarrassed and pained by this vulgar display of naked power. No justification of any kind can condone these vicious actions," Agnihotri said.

"It is outrages that the Congress government is coming down on the peaceful protesters against corruption. This is reminding the 1975 emergency when the civil rights were denied," said Khande Rao Kand, an Indian-American technocrat in the Silicon valley who attended an event in support of the yoga guru at Freemont California.

In nearly two dozen cities across the US, including Chicago, Boston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, the events featured fasting, yoga camp, panel discussion.

At many places, people were glued to the Aastha Channel which was broadcasting Live from Delhi and recorded messages of Baba Ramdev.

In Chicago, Gayatri Shakti Peeth held a panel discussion on the Lokpal Bill, how NRIs could help to eradicate corruption and raise the standard of living in India was held.

Americans as well as people from Kenya joined the event in Boston to support Baba Ramdev's fast against corruption.

Ramdev supporters in US condemn police crackdown

WASHINGTON: Supporters of Baba Ramdev in the US today condemned the police crackdown on his fast against corruption in New Delhi, claiming that it was an act of treachery against the yoga guru and his followers.

A large number of Indian Americans, who gathered in more than two dozen cities across the US yesterday to show solidarity with his movement back home, became agitated following the news of the crackdown.

"The Indian diaspora condemns it. We urge everybody to join in the movement to restore democracy and civility in India," said Bhishma Agnihotri, the former Indian Ambassador-at-Large, for NRIs & PIOs, at a meeting in Houston.

Referring to the turn of events at the Ramlila Maidan last night, Agnihotri, president of the of Bharat Swabhiman Overseas, said: "It was an act of treachery upon Baba Ramdev and his followers, who had come to present their demands against rampant corruption in India."

"We, the people of Indian-origin all over the world are deeply depressed, embarrassed and pained by this vulgar display of naked power. No justification of any kind can condone these vicious actions," Agnihotri said.

"It is outrages that the Congress government is coming down on the peaceful protesters against corruption. This is reminding the 1975 emergency when the civil rights were denied," said Khande Rao Kand, an Indian-American technocrat in the Silicon valley who attended an event in support of the yoga guru at Freemont California.

In nearly two dozen cities across the US, including Chicago, Boston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, the events featured fasting, yoga camp, panel discussion.

At many places, people were glued to the Aastha Channel which was broadcasting Live from Delhi and recorded messages of Baba Ramdev.

In Chicago, Gayatri Shakti Peeth held a panel discussion on the Lokpal Bill, how NRIs could help to eradicate corruption and raise the standard of living in India was held.

Americans as well as people from Kenya joined the event in Boston to support Baba Ramdev's fast against corruption.

Police bans Ramdev from entering Delhi for 15 days

After cracking down on Baba Ramdev's agitation, police on Sunday banned him from entering Delhi for the next 15 days and justified its action saying the organisers did not restrict themselves to a yoga camp as orginally permitted but resorted to a political agitation and made provocative speeches.
Top government sources said that Ramdev has been banned from entering Delhi for the next 15 days as police flew him to Dehradun in a special plane accompanied by two policemen following the action at his protest site at Ramlila Maidan.
A senior police official said they had granted permission to Ramdev-led Bharat Swabhiman Trust to hold yoga training camp at Ramlila Ground.
"But the same was withdrawn, as the events unfolded, when all efforts failed to convince Ramdev and organisers to restrict to the activities what was originally permitted, keeping in view of the heightened security scenario of the capital city and public safety.
"On June 4, the first day of the training camp, no yoga training as such was organised. Instead, leaders from political and religious organisations, including Baba Ramdev chose to incite his followers through provocative speeches from the dais and exhorted people to join in large numbers," the official said.
When policemen moved to detain Ramdev from the protest site, the official said, his followers pelted stones, flower pots and whatever they could get their hands on.
"This ensued some pushing and pulling between the policemen and the supporters resulting in injuries to supporters as well as policemen. Thirty-nine supporters, including 4 women, and 23 policemen sustained injuries," the official said.

Police bans Ramdev from entering Delhi for 15 days

After cracking down on Baba Ramdev's agitation, police on Sunday banned him from entering Delhi for the next 15 days and justified its action saying the organisers did not restrict themselves to a yoga camp as orginally permitted but resorted to a political agitation and made provocative speeches.
Top government sources said that Ramdev has been banned from entering Delhi for the next 15 days as police flew him to Dehradun in a special plane accompanied by two policemen following the action at his protest site at Ramlila Maidan.
A senior police official said they had granted permission to Ramdev-led Bharat Swabhiman Trust to hold yoga training camp at Ramlila Ground.
"But the same was withdrawn, as the events unfolded, when all efforts failed to convince Ramdev and organisers to restrict to the activities what was originally permitted, keeping in view of the heightened security scenario of the capital city and public safety.
"On June 4, the first day of the training camp, no yoga training as such was organised. Instead, leaders from political and religious organisations, including Baba Ramdev chose to incite his followers through provocative speeches from the dais and exhorted people to join in large numbers," the official said.
When policemen moved to detain Ramdev from the protest site, the official said, his followers pelted stones, flower pots and whatever they could get their hands on.
"This ensued some pushing and pulling between the policemen and the supporters resulting in injuries to supporters as well as policemen. Thirty-nine supporters, including 4 women, and 23 policemen sustained injuries," the official said.

Ramdev melts in crowd, sports woman's dress to hoodwink police

Maverick he is and Baba Ramdev proved it once again early this morning at Ramlila Maidan as he jumped from the dais and melted into the crowd, after which it took almost an hour for the police to locate the yoga guru who was clad in a woman's attire.

Locating the 46-year-old yoga guru in the crowd as well as sending him out of Delhi was marked by high drama, keeping the security establishment on their toes as they wanted to ensure law and order in the city.

As the men in khaki in large numbers marched in at the Ramlila Ground at around one am, the saffron-robed yoga guru rushed to the microphone and shouted 'Vande Mataram' to wake up most of his followers who had by then fallen asleep.

A large number of lathi and gun-toting policemen tried to climb the dais, following which 46-year-old Ramdev sought five minutes from them to gather his articles but he took them by surprise as he leaped from the three-metre high podium and ran towards the enclosure where women were seated.

Policemen were at sea as they could not locate Ramdev amidst a big gathering of women and in order to dupe them, he was clad in a woman's attire and to cover his beard, he used the 'dupatta' of a follower.

After an hour's frantic search, policemen managed to locate Ramdev and then started removing his followers to take him into custody. But the women, who were guarding their 'guru', were so enraged at the police action that a senior police official had to bear the brunt of heckling while escorted the yoga teacher out.

A similar drama unfolded as police tried to fly Ramdev to Dehradun as he was externed from Delhi for 15 days. The news got leaked that he would be brought to Safdurjung Airport, leading to a gathering of Ramdev's followers and prompting the government to adopt a Plan-B.

Ramdev melts in crowd, sports woman's dress to hoodwink police

Maverick he is and Baba Ramdev proved it once again early this morning at Ramlila Maidan as he jumped from the dais and melted into the crowd, after which it took almost an hour for the police to locate the yoga guru who was clad in a woman's attire.

Locating the 46-year-old yoga guru in the crowd as well as sending him out of Delhi was marked by high drama, keeping the security establishment on their toes as they wanted to ensure law and order in the city.

As the men in khaki in large numbers marched in at the Ramlila Ground at around one am, the saffron-robed yoga guru rushed to the microphone and shouted 'Vande Mataram' to wake up most of his followers who had by then fallen asleep.

A large number of lathi and gun-toting policemen tried to climb the dais, following which 46-year-old Ramdev sought five minutes from them to gather his articles but he took them by surprise as he leaped from the three-metre high podium and ran towards the enclosure where women were seated.

Policemen were at sea as they could not locate Ramdev amidst a big gathering of women and in order to dupe them, he was clad in a woman's attire and to cover his beard, he used the 'dupatta' of a follower.

After an hour's frantic search, policemen managed to locate Ramdev and then started removing his followers to take him into custody. But the women, who were guarding their 'guru', were so enraged at the police action that a senior police official had to bear the brunt of heckling while escorted the yoga teacher out.

A similar drama unfolded as police tried to fly Ramdev to Dehradun as he was externed from Delhi for 15 days. The news got leaked that he would be brought to Safdurjung Airport, leading to a gathering of Ramdev's followers and prompting the government to adopt a Plan-B.

BJP holds Manmohan, Sonia responsible for Ramlila police action

The Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari. File Photo

Condemning the police action against Baba Ramdev’s agitation, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday sought to hold Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi responsible for it and announced a 24-hour stir across the country to register the party’s protest.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari said the “police crackdown” was reminiscent of the Emergency days and alleged that Congress was not ready to discuss corruption issue through democratic means like that period.

“The crackdown by police came on the orders of the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi. We strongly condemn it...The Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi must apologise to the people,” Mr. Gadkari said addressing a press conference in Lucknow.

The BJP chief also announced a 24-hour agitation at district level across the country in protest against the “police high-handedness.”

Detailing the programme for the agitation, he said the party workers will hold satyagrah at Rajghat in Delhi.

Replying to questions, he said the issue of corruption should not be politicised.

At the same time, he said it was BJP which had raised the issue of black money and corruption first and that it will support the organisations fighting against it.

BJP holds Manmohan, Sonia responsible for Ramlila police action

The Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari. File Photo

Condemning the police action against Baba Ramdev’s agitation, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday sought to hold Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi responsible for it and announced a 24-hour stir across the country to register the party’s protest.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari said the “police crackdown” was reminiscent of the Emergency days and alleged that Congress was not ready to discuss corruption issue through democratic means like that period.

“The crackdown by police came on the orders of the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi. We strongly condemn it...The Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi must apologise to the people,” Mr. Gadkari said addressing a press conference in Lucknow.

The BJP chief also announced a 24-hour agitation at district level across the country in protest against the “police high-handedness.”

Detailing the programme for the agitation, he said the party workers will hold satyagrah at Rajghat in Delhi.

Replying to questions, he said the issue of corruption should not be politicised.

At the same time, he said it was BJP which had raised the issue of black money and corruption first and that it will support the organisations fighting against it.

Ramdev reaches Dehra Dun, on way to Haridwar

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was flown out of Delhi to Dehra Dun by a special plane after the police swooped down on his hunger strike at the Ramlila Maidan in a midnight operation.

Baba Ramdev, who was initially taken to an undisclosed destination from the protest site, was flown to Dehra Dun from Palam Airport this morning, officials said.

On his arrival at the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehra Dun, Baba Ramdev, who was alone, was received by Uttarakhand government officials, they said.

“He was alone when he landed. He was received by officials at the airport. He will now proceed to Haridwar where he has an ashram,” Dehra Dun Senior Superintendent of Police G. S. Martolia said.

While leaving the airport for his ashram, he refused to speak to media persons, saying that he will hold a press conference later.

Ramdev reaches Dehra Dun, on way to Haridwar

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was flown out of Delhi to Dehra Dun by a special plane after the police swooped down on his hunger strike at the Ramlila Maidan in a midnight operation.

Baba Ramdev, who was initially taken to an undisclosed destination from the protest site, was flown to Dehra Dun from Palam Airport this morning, officials said.

On his arrival at the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehra Dun, Baba Ramdev, who was alone, was received by Uttarakhand government officials, they said.

“He was alone when he landed. He was received by officials at the airport. He will now proceed to Haridwar where he has an ashram,” Dehra Dun Senior Superintendent of Police G. S. Martolia said.

While leaving the airport for his ashram, he refused to speak to media persons, saying that he will hold a press conference later.

Support swells for Baba Ramdev

UNITED:People from various walks of life taking part in the relay hunger strike in Nizamabad on Saturday in support of Baba Ramdev's indefinite fast.Photo: K.V. Ramana

People from different walks of life on Saturday participated in the relay hunger strike to express solidarity with yoga guru Baba Ramdev's indefinite fast demanding that government take steps to unearth black money stashed away in foreign banks and also eradication of corruption in the country.

17 organisations

Activists from 17 organisations including ABVP, Telangana University Students Association, Senior Citizens Association, PMP Association, Writers Association, Lawyers Association, Contract Lecturers Association, Gayatri Yagna Sangham, Vivekananda Yoga Kendram, Hindu Jagarana Samithi, BC Sangham and BJP Dalith Morcha took part in the relay.

Bharat Swamibhan Trust and Patanjali Yoga Samiti jointly organised the relay hunger strike. Trust president Y. Krishna Gopal Rao, Yoga Samiti president Bachu Raj Prakash, psychiatrist B. Kesavulu and businessman P.R. Somani spoke.

Expressing solidarity with Baba Ramdev's fast, a number of people launched a relay hunger strike in Karimnagar on Saturday. Representatives of Patanjali Yoga Samiti led by its president Prabhakar Sharma, Lok Satta district representative T. Rajamouli and 30 others participated in relay hunger strike. They said the relay hunger strike would be continued by various sections of society till the government takes measures to check corruption and bring back black money stashed away in foreign countries.

About 50 activists of the Bharat Swabhiman Trust in Adilabad on Saturday sat on a relay hunger strike in front of the district Collectorate in support of the fast undertaken by yoga guru Baba Ramdev. The protesters sought an end to corruption by accepting all demands put forth by Baba Ramdev.

Extending support to the relay fast undertaken by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev at Delhi, the district unit of Patanjali Yoga Samiti held a ‘satyagraha' at Balaji Gardens at the district headquarters. Samiti president T. Narayana began the programme by lighting a lamp. Number of people attended the programme.

Mr. Narayana called upon people to bring pressure on the government to bring back the black money stashed away at foreign countries. Kisan Sangh leader Anji Reddy and others also participated.