09 June,2011 07:35 AM IST | | Agencies
The central government yesterday said yoga guru Baba Ramdev's reported remark that he is ready to arm his supporters in self defence was "anti-national".
"It is very clear that the statement given by Baba Ramdev is anti-national and action should be taken against him," Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) V Narayanasamy told a national news channel.
Baba Ramdev had said that he would raise an army of 11,000 men and women for the safety of his supporters to avoid a recurrence of the Ramila ground 'misadventure'
"I would press upon the home minister to take action against him," he said. In Haridwar, Ramdev said, "We will build an army of 11,000 men and women."
The yoga guru stressed that he does not favour an armed revolution but will not allow a repeat of what happened at the Ramlila Ground.
"Dedicated young men and women would be imparted both shaastra (Vedic education) and shastra (arms training)," said Ramdev, who continued his fast for the fifth day.
About the midnight police crackdown against Ramdev and his supporters on June 5, Narayanasamy said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his cabinet colleagues negotiated withu00a0 Ramdev and he had promised that he would end his fast.
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But he continued, the minister said. "It is my belief that Ramdev is working as a frontman for the BJP. It has been proved without doubt that all the Sangh Parivar people were supporting his movement," he added.
"There were thousands of people at the maidan and those who have alleged that they have sustained injuries are around 30. What was Gandhiji's 'satyagraha'? When the British told Gandhiji that he cannot fast because of prohibitory orders, he and his followers obliged. That is real satyagraha," he added.
He said Ramdev defied the police and jumped off from the stage and then escaped wearing women's clothing. "That is not satyagraha," he said.
"The government did not use force. They used only tear gas. When section 144 is imposed, people are not allowed to remain there. Therefore, it was done by the government and it was well within its right to do so," Narayanasamy clarified.
"Baba Ramdev, his followers and the Sangh Parivar should have obeyed the orders of the government," he added.
