Over 100 yoga enthusiasts ignore yogi's instruction not to join fast; some even fall ill
Over 100 yoga enthusiasts ignore yogi's instruction not to join fast; some even fall illu00a0
While Baba Ramdev retreated to Haridwar in a show of non-violence and appears to be going the Anna Hazare way to make his voice heard, yoga enthusiasts and followers from the city have also joined in on the action, despite clear instructions by him on day one of his fast (June 4), not to do so.
Hunger struck: Five followers fell sick yesterday and medical assistance
was called for. Pic/Satish BadigerOver 100 followers appear to be defying his instructions and have been fasting for the past four days at various locations in the city. As a result, over five followers fell sick yesterday and medical assistance was called for.
Starving for a cause
Two followers, who were in a serious condition, were administered drip after refusing to eat. Many gathered at the Freedom Park, pledged their lives to Ramdev's cause and resolved to continue their fast till the Congress addresses the 'Black Money' issue.
M R Chandrappa, a 69-year-old retired headmaster from Kushalnagar, fell ill yesterday afternoon, but kept chanting Ramdev's name all the time. "I have been fighting against corruption in the system for the past 40 years. Because I refused to pay bribes, I was transferred several times. When I met Ramdev last week, I promised to continue the fight against the Black Money issue till my last breath. Even if I lose my life today, I will do so happily because I fought for a cause I believe in," said Chandrappa.
Black money fastSubba Rao, a tea vendor from Gandhi Nagar heard about the protest earlier this week and has been on a fast along with his friend Mahesh, who works as a daily wage labourer at Burma Bazaar. The duo has signed the petition and believe that their silent protest will bear results. "Our heart is clear and we are demanding for our own money to be brought back to our land. If the government is even remotely interested in sorting out our issues, they will listen to our pleas," said Rao.
'Ahimsa is the way'Satish Revathy Manger, a Bangalorean who teaches English in a school in Ajmer, was in a serious condition throughout the day. "I believe that corruption needs to be rooted out. We, as the youth of the country need to revolt against this horrible disease called corruption. I could have opted for a violent protest, but I believe that Ahimsa is the best way to solve our problem. Hopefully our silent non-violent protest will open the deaf ears of the system, which is cheating its own people," said Satish.
Meanwhile, over 800 students from across the city participated in the protest yesterday and around 2,000 students will be joining in today. "We have now set the stage for talks and the ball is in the government's court. In case they refuse to listen to Ramdev and his followers, the government's corrupt ways would be exposed to the whole country. A fire has been ignited and we will carry it forward till it burns down corruption all together," claimed activist, Chakravarthy Sulivali.
