Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Saleh flies to Saudi Arabia, transferring power to deputy

View Photo Gallery —  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh was wounded when opposition tribesmen determined to topple him hammered his palace with rockets in a major escalation of nearly two weeks of fighting with government forces.

CAIRO — Embattled Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh transferred authority to his deputy Saturday and flew to Saudi Arabia, raising the prospect that a key U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaeda had lost his grip on power and left behind a nation tumbling into chaos.
Saleh’s decision to leave the country, apparently to seek medical treatment for injuries suffered in a rocket attack on his palace Friday, makes it unlikely that he will return, several analysts said. His sudden departure leaves behind a nation on the verge of civil war and economic collapse, with a violent power struggle among rival tribesmen underway and no clear plan for a transition of power if Saleh were to permanently surrender 

For months, Saleh had resisted intense pressure from within Yemen, the Middle East’s poorest nation, and from neighboring countries and the United States to step down. With an active al-Qaeda branch in Yemen, ambitious enough to claim the mantle of Osama bin Laden in the near future, Saleh’s departure could pose one of the most significant policy challenges for the Obama administration in the months ahead.
A Pentagon spokesman acknowledged late Saturday that the crisis in Yemen was already affecting U.S. efforts to fight terrorism.
“The current protracted political issues are having an adverse impact on the security situation in Yemen,” said Col. David Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman, and the United States is “continuing to review and assess all aspects of our security assistance.”
But he indicated that Washington was already looking beyond Saleh’s rule. “Our shared interest with the Yemeni government in defeating al-Qaeda goes beyond one person,” Lapan said. The U.S. military has an unspecified number of counterterrorism trainers in Yemen, who the Pentagon has said remain in the country, although the civil unrest had affected their work.
In Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, an official in the president’s office confirmed that Saleh had left the country for Saudi Arabia and said that his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, had taken over his duties.
In Washington, a U.S. official said the situation was not entirely clear, but that the United States believes that Saleh had reached Saudi Arabia. The Associated Press quoted the state-run Saudi Press Agency as reporting that Saleh had arrived in the country.
Most of Saleh’s family accompanied him on the flight to Saudi Arabia, AP reported, citing a government official. But Saleh’s son Ahmed, whom he was grooming as a successor, was believed to have stayed behind, AP reported.
Christopher Boucek, an analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said violence in Yemen could become even more intense, given the animosity between Saleh’s supporters and those of the Ahmar clan, whose tribesmen have spearheaded the effort to topple Saleh.
“His son and nephews may try to finish off the Ahmars,” Boucek said. “The regime’s power lies in the military and security branches, the guys who have been fighting, and where do they go? They may think their only option is to fight.”

Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Saleh flies to Saudi Arabia, transferring power to deputy

View Photo Gallery —  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh was wounded when opposition tribesmen determined to topple him hammered his palace with rockets in a major escalation of nearly two weeks of fighting with government forces.

CAIRO — Embattled Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh transferred authority to his deputy Saturday and flew to Saudi Arabia, raising the prospect that a key U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaeda had lost his grip on power and left behind a nation tumbling into chaos.
Saleh’s decision to leave the country, apparently to seek medical treatment for injuries suffered in a rocket attack on his palace Friday, makes it unlikely that he will return, several analysts said. His sudden departure leaves behind a nation on the verge of civil war and economic collapse, with a violent power struggle among rival tribesmen underway and no clear plan for a transition of power if Saleh were to permanently surrender 

For months, Saleh had resisted intense pressure from within Yemen, the Middle East’s poorest nation, and from neighboring countries and the United States to step down. With an active al-Qaeda branch in Yemen, ambitious enough to claim the mantle of Osama bin Laden in the near future, Saleh’s departure could pose one of the most significant policy challenges for the Obama administration in the months ahead.
A Pentagon spokesman acknowledged late Saturday that the crisis in Yemen was already affecting U.S. efforts to fight terrorism.
“The current protracted political issues are having an adverse impact on the security situation in Yemen,” said Col. David Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman, and the United States is “continuing to review and assess all aspects of our security assistance.”
But he indicated that Washington was already looking beyond Saleh’s rule. “Our shared interest with the Yemeni government in defeating al-Qaeda goes beyond one person,” Lapan said. The U.S. military has an unspecified number of counterterrorism trainers in Yemen, who the Pentagon has said remain in the country, although the civil unrest had affected their work.
In Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, an official in the president’s office confirmed that Saleh had left the country for Saudi Arabia and said that his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, had taken over his duties.
In Washington, a U.S. official said the situation was not entirely clear, but that the United States believes that Saleh had reached Saudi Arabia. The Associated Press quoted the state-run Saudi Press Agency as reporting that Saleh had arrived in the country.
Most of Saleh’s family accompanied him on the flight to Saudi Arabia, AP reported, citing a government official. But Saleh’s son Ahmed, whom he was grooming as a successor, was believed to have stayed behind, AP reported.
Christopher Boucek, an analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said violence in Yemen could become even more intense, given the animosity between Saleh’s supporters and those of the Ahmar clan, whose tribesmen have spearheaded the effort to topple Saleh.
“His son and nephews may try to finish off the Ahmars,” Boucek said. “The regime’s power lies in the military and security branches, the guys who have been fighting, and where do they go? They may think their only option is to fight.”

India cracks down on hunger strike led by yoga guru

( AP ) - Indian police officers remove a supporter from the site where renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev was holding a hunger strike in New Delhi early Sunday.

NEW DELHI — In a swift midnight action, Indian police cracked down with canes and tear-gas shells to drive away tens of thousands of people who were on a hunger strike against corruption in New Delhi and briefly detained the yoga guru who led the massive nationwide protest.
The yoga guru, Baba Ramdev, was taken on a special plane Sunday morning out of the Indian capital and dropped at the city of Dehradun, a northern city on the foothills of the Himalayas. Television reports later showed Ramdev arriving at his sprawling ashram in Hardwar.

(Manish Swarup/ AP ) - Renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev speaks during his hunger strike against corruption in New Delhi on Saturday before a police crackdown on the demonstrations.

When talks with the government broke down late Saturday after both the government and the guru blamed each other of breaking their promises, dozens of policemen swooped down on the tented site in Old Delhi after they said that Ramdev’s permission to protest had been cancelled. The protestors resisted and threw stones at the policemen, creating panic and near-stampede at the site. Within hours, the tented site looked emptied out and filled with policemen.
When Ramdev was taken away by the police, he shouted: “Why am I being arrested at night without any information? I appeal to the people to be calm.”
Later, huge crowds thronged Ramdev’s ashram site shouting slogans, as a tired-looking Ramdev got out of the car in white clothes, unusual for the orange-robed guru. He declined to accept the marigold flowers with which supporters were garlanding him.
“Today is the blackest day in history. We will observe black day all over India. The fast is not over,” Ramdev told his followers, speaking into a microphone.
A popular yoga guru and televangelist, Ramdev had led the hunger strike demanding that the government bring back illicit money deposited in secret foreign banks by corrupt Indians. The hunger strike was the latest protest action in an eight-month-long anti-corruption campaign fueled by a long list of scandals that have angered Indians.
But talks with the officials soured late Saturday evening after Kapil Sibal, India’s education minister, released a letter that he said was written by Ramdev’s aide and contained a pledge from the guru to end the fast in less than 24 hours.
“A guru who teaches yoga should not teach politics to his followers of 50,000 people at the site. The permission was for yoga exercises, but he violated it,” said Kapil Sibal, who was part of a team that was negotiating with Ramdev on his demands until Saturday.
But a follower who was sleeping on his yoga mattress under the tent when the police arrived said that the government was denying them the right to protest.
“We were sitting there peacefully singing songs, doing yoga. Were we violent? Did we steal public money like our politicians do? Did we break tax laws? Why did the police beat us with their canes? They took away our saint-like guru,” asked Savitri Arya, 60-year old woman who had travelled to New Delhi with her family for the protest. “All we want was an end to the corrupt ways of our leaders. Do we not have the right to protest in this democracy?”
An official in the government said that the permission to hold the protest at the site was given for a day and Ramdev and his followers had exceeded it. But the police action has led to a wave of anger among political parties who are now calling for the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resign.
“This government has no moral authority to rule anymore. This government should resign. They let the corrupt go, but beat up people who are conducting peaceful protest,” said Nitin Gatkari, the president of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. The party has announced a nationwide sit-in against the police action.
In April, hundreds of Indians protested against graft and many activists fasted until the government agreed to their demands of considering public input in writing a new anti-corruption law.
The leader of the April protest, 73-year old Anna Hazare told reporters on Sunday that he condemns the police action.
“They beat up women? This is a stigma on our democracy. All Indians must condemn it,” Hazare said. “There will be a revolt across India to teach this government a lesson.”

India cracks down on hunger strike led by yoga guru

( AP ) - Indian police officers remove a supporter from the site where renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev was holding a hunger strike in New Delhi early Sunday.

NEW DELHI — In a swift midnight action, Indian police cracked down with canes and tear-gas shells to drive away tens of thousands of people who were on a hunger strike against corruption in New Delhi and briefly detained the yoga guru who led the massive nationwide protest.
The yoga guru, Baba Ramdev, was taken on a special plane Sunday morning out of the Indian capital and dropped at the city of Dehradun, a northern city on the foothills of the Himalayas. Television reports later showed Ramdev arriving at his sprawling ashram in Hardwar.

(Manish Swarup/ AP ) - Renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev speaks during his hunger strike against corruption in New Delhi on Saturday before a police crackdown on the demonstrations.

When talks with the government broke down late Saturday after both the government and the guru blamed each other of breaking their promises, dozens of policemen swooped down on the tented site in Old Delhi after they said that Ramdev’s permission to protest had been cancelled. The protestors resisted and threw stones at the policemen, creating panic and near-stampede at the site. Within hours, the tented site looked emptied out and filled with policemen.
When Ramdev was taken away by the police, he shouted: “Why am I being arrested at night without any information? I appeal to the people to be calm.”
Later, huge crowds thronged Ramdev’s ashram site shouting slogans, as a tired-looking Ramdev got out of the car in white clothes, unusual for the orange-robed guru. He declined to accept the marigold flowers with which supporters were garlanding him.
“Today is the blackest day in history. We will observe black day all over India. The fast is not over,” Ramdev told his followers, speaking into a microphone.
A popular yoga guru and televangelist, Ramdev had led the hunger strike demanding that the government bring back illicit money deposited in secret foreign banks by corrupt Indians. The hunger strike was the latest protest action in an eight-month-long anti-corruption campaign fueled by a long list of scandals that have angered Indians.
But talks with the officials soured late Saturday evening after Kapil Sibal, India’s education minister, released a letter that he said was written by Ramdev’s aide and contained a pledge from the guru to end the fast in less than 24 hours.
“A guru who teaches yoga should not teach politics to his followers of 50,000 people at the site. The permission was for yoga exercises, but he violated it,” said Kapil Sibal, who was part of a team that was negotiating with Ramdev on his demands until Saturday.
But a follower who was sleeping on his yoga mattress under the tent when the police arrived said that the government was denying them the right to protest.
“We were sitting there peacefully singing songs, doing yoga. Were we violent? Did we steal public money like our politicians do? Did we break tax laws? Why did the police beat us with their canes? They took away our saint-like guru,” asked Savitri Arya, 60-year old woman who had travelled to New Delhi with her family for the protest. “All we want was an end to the corrupt ways of our leaders. Do we not have the right to protest in this democracy?”
An official in the government said that the permission to hold the protest at the site was given for a day and Ramdev and his followers had exceeded it. But the police action has led to a wave of anger among political parties who are now calling for the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resign.
“This government has no moral authority to rule anymore. This government should resign. They let the corrupt go, but beat up people who are conducting peaceful protest,” said Nitin Gatkari, the president of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. The party has announced a nationwide sit-in against the police action.
In April, hundreds of Indians protested against graft and many activists fasted until the government agreed to their demands of considering public input in writing a new anti-corruption law.
The leader of the April protest, 73-year old Anna Hazare told reporters on Sunday that he condemns the police action.
“They beat up women? This is a stigma on our democracy. All Indians must condemn it,” Hazare said. “There will be a revolt across India to teach this government a lesson.”

Baba Ramdev back in his ashram after midnight detention

Baba Ramdev lands in Dehradun: Sources

See photo

DEHRA DUN/NEW DELHI: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was flown on Sunday from Delhi by a special plane after police swooped down on his hunger strike at the Ramlila Maidan in a mid-night operation.

Ramdev, who was initially taken to an undisclosed destination from the protest site, was put into an aircraft by Delhi Police from the Palam Airport this morning, officials said.

On his arrival at the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun, 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," Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police G S Martolia said.

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

Baba Ramdev back in his ashram after midnight detention

Baba Ramdev lands in Dehradun: Sources

See photo

DEHRA DUN/NEW DELHI: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was flown on Sunday from Delhi by a special plane after police swooped down on his hunger strike at the Ramlila Maidan in a mid-night operation.

Ramdev, who was initially taken to an undisclosed destination from the protest site, was put into an aircraft by Delhi Police from the Palam Airport this morning, officials said.

On his arrival at the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun, 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," Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police G S Martolia said.

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

Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais with Ramdev divides civil society

Anna Hazare has decided not to join the Baba Ramdev's indefinite fast on Sunday because of his group's unease over the presence of saffronites with the yoga guru. Hazare and some other members of his group were in particular upset at the presence of Sangh Parivar leader Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais with Ramdev.

Earlier in the day, speaking from Kochi , Hazare had said that he would discuss the issue with other civil society members of the Lokpal drafting committee. Lawyer and member of the committee Prashant Bhushan also said he was 'unhappy' at the presence of Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais, where Ramdev is on hunger-strike against black money, saying the platform should not be allowed to be used by "communal" forces. "I am unhappy with the presence of Sadhvi Ritambhara. You cannot prevent anyone from supporting a cause but the platform should not be allowed to be used by communal forces,'' Bhushan said.

Bhushan said Hazare had already told Ramdev that he would not share the platform with politicians or religious leaders. Sources said that the feeling of discomfort had increased because the issue of Lokpal had been completely diluted and instead the saffron flavour had gained strength in Ramdev's campaign.

In contrast, another member of the drafting committee Justice N Santosh Hegde said that he saw nothing wrong in the presence of Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais. "So far as the presence Sadhvi Ritambhara is concerned, she may be an accused in Ayodhya (Babri Masjid demolition ) case but we are not supporting that cause. We are supporting only the fight against corruption. If she wants to fight against corruption, I do not see why she should not be allowed to do that,'' he said.

Responding to a question about conflict of interest between the Anna Hazareled civil society and Ramdev's protest, Justice Hegde said, "So far as Baba's hunger strike is concerned, it is against corruption and we are also fighting against corruption . Therefore, there is no conflict and hence we welcome it and support it.''

Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais with Ramdev divides civil society

Anna Hazare has decided not to join the Baba Ramdev's indefinite fast on Sunday because of his group's unease over the presence of saffronites with the yoga guru. Hazare and some other members of his group were in particular upset at the presence of Sangh Parivar leader Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais with Ramdev.

Earlier in the day, speaking from Kochi , Hazare had said that he would discuss the issue with other civil society members of the Lokpal drafting committee. Lawyer and member of the committee Prashant Bhushan also said he was 'unhappy' at the presence of Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais, where Ramdev is on hunger-strike against black money, saying the platform should not be allowed to be used by "communal" forces. "I am unhappy with the presence of Sadhvi Ritambhara. You cannot prevent anyone from supporting a cause but the platform should not be allowed to be used by communal forces,'' Bhushan said.

Bhushan said Hazare had already told Ramdev that he would not share the platform with politicians or religious leaders. Sources said that the feeling of discomfort had increased because the issue of Lokpal had been completely diluted and instead the saffron flavour had gained strength in Ramdev's campaign.

In contrast, another member of the drafting committee Justice N Santosh Hegde said that he saw nothing wrong in the presence of Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais. "So far as the presence Sadhvi Ritambhara is concerned, she may be an accused in Ayodhya (Babri Masjid demolition ) case but we are not supporting that cause. We are supporting only the fight against corruption. If she wants to fight against corruption, I do not see why she should not be allowed to do that,'' he said.

Responding to a question about conflict of interest between the Anna Hazareled civil society and Ramdev's protest, Justice Hegde said, "So far as Baba's hunger strike is concerned, it is against corruption and we are also fighting against corruption . Therefore, there is no conflict and hence we welcome it and support it.''

Government likely to change Ramdev negotiators

With media confronting telecom minister Kapil Sibal on the letter revealed by Sibal, Ramdev denied a covert deal or that his was a "fixed" fast. He said on Saturday that Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay had requested him for the letter saying that it would help them deal with the allegation that the government had surrendered to him.

He warned his supporters to stay put in case he was arrested and made it clear that a written assurance is a must. Ramdev said he would never speak to Sibal again and said he will announce his next course of action after "I hear from the PM."

Before that, Sibal had also talked tough. "No government has reached out as much as ours. But if we can reach out we can also rein in. This government believes in resolving issues not in exacerbating them. But If we can be accommodative, we can also be firm" , said Sibal, adding its accommodation should not be read as a sign of weakness. This has clear implications. The government may have to change its negotiators. Also, the assurance from the government has to be more specific, given Baba's need for something that he can show his accomplishment.

Although delayed, a settlement remained in sight. Subodh Kant Sahay confirmed that the government's commitment to the law on black money would reach Ramdev. According to sources, the letter says " This is to clarify that the government is committed to a legal structure that will turn ill-gotten wealth into national asset.Such assets would be confiscated and the law would also provide for exemplary punishment for those with ill-gotten wealth.This clearly declares the government's commitment ... You have publicly stated that upon receiving the letter of commitment you would end your "tap" . Hope you will honour your commitment" .

Ramdev will also have trouble sustaining his show indefinitely in the torrid weather, especially after Sibal's success in sowing doubts about his resolve. Government sources are already deriving satisfaction from the fact that the turnout at Ramlila Maidan, although bigger than what Anna could manage at Jantar Mantar, is below the expectations of the organizers.

The upturn in tensions led to Sibal hurrying to meet finance minister Pranab Mukherjee to draft the clarification sought by Ramdev on the government's willingness to draft a stringent law on black money. This can see the Baba's fast prolonging as the two sides need to rework the fragile trust between them.

The government is taking the Baba's challenge seriously and although Sibal suggested tougher measures in case Ramdev did not come around, harsh action might not be easy to contemplate . The government cannot afford to be seen on the wrong side of the war against corruption and the Baba's act has certainly struck a chord.

The meeting of the cabinet committee on political affairs held a couple of days back had in fact deliberated in such scenarios with the majority opinion expressing the apprehension that events might prove hard to manage once Ramdev begins his fast. It will need another round or two of high pressure diplomacy , perhaps much more discreet than has been the case so far, to resolve the confrontation.

Government likely to change Ramdev negotiators

With media confronting telecom minister Kapil Sibal on the letter revealed by Sibal, Ramdev denied a covert deal or that his was a "fixed" fast. He said on Saturday that Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay had requested him for the letter saying that it would help them deal with the allegation that the government had surrendered to him.

He warned his supporters to stay put in case he was arrested and made it clear that a written assurance is a must. Ramdev said he would never speak to Sibal again and said he will announce his next course of action after "I hear from the PM."

Before that, Sibal had also talked tough. "No government has reached out as much as ours. But if we can reach out we can also rein in. This government believes in resolving issues not in exacerbating them. But If we can be accommodative, we can also be firm" , said Sibal, adding its accommodation should not be read as a sign of weakness. This has clear implications. The government may have to change its negotiators. Also, the assurance from the government has to be more specific, given Baba's need for something that he can show his accomplishment.

Although delayed, a settlement remained in sight. Subodh Kant Sahay confirmed that the government's commitment to the law on black money would reach Ramdev. According to sources, the letter says " This is to clarify that the government is committed to a legal structure that will turn ill-gotten wealth into national asset.Such assets would be confiscated and the law would also provide for exemplary punishment for those with ill-gotten wealth.This clearly declares the government's commitment ... You have publicly stated that upon receiving the letter of commitment you would end your "tap" . Hope you will honour your commitment" .

Ramdev will also have trouble sustaining his show indefinitely in the torrid weather, especially after Sibal's success in sowing doubts about his resolve. Government sources are already deriving satisfaction from the fact that the turnout at Ramlila Maidan, although bigger than what Anna could manage at Jantar Mantar, is below the expectations of the organizers.

The upturn in tensions led to Sibal hurrying to meet finance minister Pranab Mukherjee to draft the clarification sought by Ramdev on the government's willingness to draft a stringent law on black money. This can see the Baba's fast prolonging as the two sides need to rework the fragile trust between them.

The government is taking the Baba's challenge seriously and although Sibal suggested tougher measures in case Ramdev did not come around, harsh action might not be easy to contemplate . The government cannot afford to be seen on the wrong side of the war against corruption and the Baba's act has certainly struck a chord.

The meeting of the cabinet committee on political affairs held a couple of days back had in fact deliberated in such scenarios with the majority opinion expressing the apprehension that events might prove hard to manage once Ramdev begins his fast. It will need another round or two of high pressure diplomacy , perhaps much more discreet than has been the case so far, to resolve the confrontation.

Baba Ramdev cause has thousands braving heat

A day temperature of 41 degrees Celsius and humidity levels touching 77% had evidently sapped the energy of the thousands of people who had gathered at the Ramlila Maidan to support Baba Ramdev's fast against corruption on Saturday.

For most part of the day, under the drone of dozens of speeches and the onslaught of hot dusty winds, people slept, read newspapers and once in a while joined shouts of ' Bharat Mata ki jai ' and ' Vande Mataram '. The grounds were dotted with crushed halves of lemon that were being distributed by the handful to ensure that nobody suffered from dehydration .

Once every hour, the crowds would liven up to drama on the stage. From fiery speeches by religious Maulana Rizvi, who had the crowd cheering him at each reference to Ramdev and Lord Ram, to Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari, who stole the show with his song and dance routine, there was enough action and entertainment to ensure that when Ramdev took to the stage, he had everyone's attention . For the few hours when Ramdev took off for meetings with the government, the crowd again fell back into listless stupor.

Standing amid the vast sea of people, it was difficult to fathom why so many of them were braving the relentless heat, many of the men stripped to their vests, to sit through the afternoon with nothing much to occupy them for large durations. However, the moment Ramdev came on the stage, people shed off any vestige of lethargy to break into loud cheer and applause. "We are here only for Baba and will stay here as long as he needs us. The heat means nothing to us," said Sarita Devi, a school teacher who had come all the way from Assam.

A long and steady chain of people defied security to get close to the stage where Ramdev was seated just to get his picture on their phones. Police officials were on regular rounds and despite the surge of people in the grounds, no untoward incident was reported.

In the morning, a French student from JNU and her family dropped in to witness the unfolding of events, providing much amusement to the gathered devotees . A kinnar family did not just have the audience on its feet but also caught the saintly attention on stage as everyone stood up to get a quick view of their two-minute song and dance routine.

Ramlila Grounds had turned into a tourist spot with several locals dropping in to see what was happening. Bharti Verma, a 23-year-old who came with her cousins and uncle from Rajinder Nagar , said, "We have been watching this on TV but today we had the day off from work and decided to come here and see what was actually happening. But it has become too hot and we do not have plans of staying much longer," she said.

'Baba Ramdev 10 steps ahead of Mahatma Gandhi'

The "return" of black money might still be some time and several laws away, but for the bhakts of Baba Ramdev gathered under the massive tent at Ramlila Maidan, it is a prophesy that is bound to be self-fulfilling.

Not for them the doubts whether the complicated task of tracking black money offenders and labyrinthine bank accounts. If Ramdev has said this can be done, it can well be the case. Moreover , there is a seeping belief that the money, when hauled in, will change their lives for the better.

"He is not like Gandhi. He is ten steps ahead of Gandhi as he is fighting his own people for the rights of crores," thundered a supporter of Baba Ramdev as many others cheered him on. Next to him sat Ramdev, quite oblivious to the compliment bestowed on him but beaming with the confidence that proved to be nothing less than infectious and reassuring .

The questions being asked about the guru's own assets and trusts, of the funding for the show he is staging in Delhi or the fare for charter flights are not for the initiated as well for many of those drawn in by the alluring , if possibly evanescent promise of riches that might flow in.

The thousands gathered at Ramlila ground could be drawn for a host of causes. But the fight against corruption seems as good as any other. They are there for their leader, Ramdev. As Sudhir , a farmer from Uttarakhand , put it, "Baba has reached another level of being. If he has decided that there are certain problematic issues that need to be sorted out, I am in no position to question him."

Ramdev has drawn sharp criticism and many believe that an impression that black money can be retrieved could be dangerously false. But none of those spending days and nights at Ramlila grounds have any doubt about the guru's plans.

"He has obviously thought about what he is asking for. I do not know his plans or why he has made certain demands but he definitely has his reasons and I am not going to question those," said Aman Sagar, a 25-year-old artist who has come from Dhanbad.

Ramdev knows the pulse of the crowd and has them eating out of his hand. At one point during the afternoon , he tells the cheering crowd to identify itself by the states they come from. While talking about the allegations levelled against him, he periodically refers to himself in third person. "Baba can do no wrong. Baba is the 'bharat putra' . Jo baba mein bura dekh raha hai uski drishti mein khot hai, baba mein nahin," he says to the people who can't stop clapping . Every once in a while, someone walks up to the stage to click his picture on his mobile phone.

Radhey Shyam, a resident of Moradabad confidently argues for Ramdev's agenda. Ask him one question on why and how and his demeanour changes. "Ramdev ji knows what he is talking about. These are details he has given us (referring to the black money stashed abroad) and he cannot be wrong. We are here because of him and will do whatever he asks of us," he says.

Baba Ramdev cause has thousands braving heat

A day temperature of 41 degrees Celsius and humidity levels touching 77% had evidently sapped the energy of the thousands of people who had gathered at the Ramlila Maidan to support Baba Ramdev's fast against corruption on Saturday.

For most part of the day, under the drone of dozens of speeches and the onslaught of hot dusty winds, people slept, read newspapers and once in a while joined shouts of ' Bharat Mata ki jai ' and ' Vande Mataram '. The grounds were dotted with crushed halves of lemon that were being distributed by the handful to ensure that nobody suffered from dehydration .

Once every hour, the crowds would liven up to drama on the stage. From fiery speeches by religious Maulana Rizvi, who had the crowd cheering him at each reference to Ramdev and Lord Ram, to Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari, who stole the show with his song and dance routine, there was enough action and entertainment to ensure that when Ramdev took to the stage, he had everyone's attention . For the few hours when Ramdev took off for meetings with the government, the crowd again fell back into listless stupor.

Standing amid the vast sea of people, it was difficult to fathom why so many of them were braving the relentless heat, many of the men stripped to their vests, to sit through the afternoon with nothing much to occupy them for large durations. However, the moment Ramdev came on the stage, people shed off any vestige of lethargy to break into loud cheer and applause. "We are here only for Baba and will stay here as long as he needs us. The heat means nothing to us," said Sarita Devi, a school teacher who had come all the way from Assam.

A long and steady chain of people defied security to get close to the stage where Ramdev was seated just to get his picture on their phones. Police officials were on regular rounds and despite the surge of people in the grounds, no untoward incident was reported.

In the morning, a French student from JNU and her family dropped in to witness the unfolding of events, providing much amusement to the gathered devotees . A kinnar family did not just have the audience on its feet but also caught the saintly attention on stage as everyone stood up to get a quick view of their two-minute song and dance routine.

Ramlila Grounds had turned into a tourist spot with several locals dropping in to see what was happening. Bharti Verma, a 23-year-old who came with her cousins and uncle from Rajinder Nagar , said, "We have been watching this on TV but today we had the day off from work and decided to come here and see what was actually happening. But it has become too hot and we do not have plans of staying much longer," she said.

'Baba Ramdev 10 steps ahead of Mahatma Gandhi'

The "return" of black money might still be some time and several laws away, but for the bhakts of Baba Ramdev gathered under the massive tent at Ramlila Maidan, it is a prophesy that is bound to be self-fulfilling.

Not for them the doubts whether the complicated task of tracking black money offenders and labyrinthine bank accounts. If Ramdev has said this can be done, it can well be the case. Moreover , there is a seeping belief that the money, when hauled in, will change their lives for the better.

"He is not like Gandhi. He is ten steps ahead of Gandhi as he is fighting his own people for the rights of crores," thundered a supporter of Baba Ramdev as many others cheered him on. Next to him sat Ramdev, quite oblivious to the compliment bestowed on him but beaming with the confidence that proved to be nothing less than infectious and reassuring .

The questions being asked about the guru's own assets and trusts, of the funding for the show he is staging in Delhi or the fare for charter flights are not for the initiated as well for many of those drawn in by the alluring , if possibly evanescent promise of riches that might flow in.

The thousands gathered at Ramlila ground could be drawn for a host of causes. But the fight against corruption seems as good as any other. They are there for their leader, Ramdev. As Sudhir , a farmer from Uttarakhand , put it, "Baba has reached another level of being. If he has decided that there are certain problematic issues that need to be sorted out, I am in no position to question him."

Ramdev has drawn sharp criticism and many believe that an impression that black money can be retrieved could be dangerously false. But none of those spending days and nights at Ramlila grounds have any doubt about the guru's plans.

"He has obviously thought about what he is asking for. I do not know his plans or why he has made certain demands but he definitely has his reasons and I am not going to question those," said Aman Sagar, a 25-year-old artist who has come from Dhanbad.

Ramdev knows the pulse of the crowd and has them eating out of his hand. At one point during the afternoon , he tells the cheering crowd to identify itself by the states they come from. While talking about the allegations levelled against him, he periodically refers to himself in third person. "Baba can do no wrong. Baba is the 'bharat putra' . Jo baba mein bura dekh raha hai uski drishti mein khot hai, baba mein nahin," he says to the people who can't stop clapping . Every once in a while, someone walks up to the stage to click his picture on his mobile phone.

Radhey Shyam, a resident of Moradabad confidently argues for Ramdev's agenda. Ask him one question on why and how and his demeanour changes. "Ramdev ji knows what he is talking about. These are details he has given us (referring to the black money stashed abroad) and he cannot be wrong. We are here because of him and will do whatever he asks of us," he says.

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.