No compromise yet, Ramdev to ‘sit on fast’

PTI

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Baba Ramdev emerges from a meeting with Union Ministers in New Delhi on Friday. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

 

After a five-hour marathon meeting, the government and Baba Ramdev on Friday failed to reach a compromise on the demands raised by the yoga guru, who said he will launch his indefinite fast on Saturday as planned.

Emerging from the meeting at a hotel in New Delhi, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said the two sides had constructive dialogue on several matters and they are very happy with the progress but these issues cannot be resolved in a day.

“We have not reached a compromise yet and I will sit on fast (from tomorrow),” Baba Ramdev said after his meeting with Mr. Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also briefed President Pratibha Patil on the deliberations.

Mr. Sibal said the government has responded positively to the Baba Ramdev’s suggestions and hoped that the yoga guru will do “what is right“.

However, he refused to confirm or deny whether the yoga guru will go on his fast on issues of corruption and black money.

“We had constructive dialogue on several issues and the government has addressed all the issues Baba has raised in writing. Most of these issues are of national concern and the government is already seized of many of them,” Mr. Sibal said.

Before the crucial talks with Baba Ramdev, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and some of their colleagues went into a huddle to prepare a draft for the meeting.

Making all-out efforts to placate the yoga guru, the government made senior Ministers stay put in the capital.

While Mr. Mukherjee scrapped his plan to visit Kolkata, Law Minister Veerappa Moily ended up cancelling his scheduled trip to Mangalore apparently for the same reason.

The meeting between Mr. Sibal, Mr. Sahay and Mr. Ramdev came after Baba Ramdev’s address to his supporters where he indicated a softening of his stance.

”...Barring one or two issues, a consensus seems to be emerging between us and the government,” said the yoga guru, who had held his first round of talks with senior Ministers, including Mr. Mukherjee, who had met him at the airport after his arrival in New Delhi on June 1.

Hectic back-channel efforts were on for the last two days to placate Baba Ramdev, who has raised the issues of black money and corruption, as the government is keen to avert an Anna Hazare-like protest on the streets.

Addressing a gathering of more than 5,000 people, Baba Ramdev said his movement is being undertaken in “national interest” and is not sponsored by any political party.

“Our agitation is not against any political party or individual. We are neutral, not being sponsored by any party or organisation and people from all castes and religion are joining us. We appeal to all parties to join us. We are erecting a special stage where representatives from all parties can come to put forth their point of view,” he said.

Flanked by leaders of various religions, he also tried to deflect criticism that he is crossing the tenets of yoga by taking up issue of corruption. “I am not crossing the limits of Yoga. Not lying and stealing is also part of yoga and I am trying to bring those who have crossed that limit back within the limit.”

In an apparent reference to suggestions that his movement is aimed at undermining Mr. Hazare’s agitation on the same issue, Baba Ramdev said, “We do not want to show anyone as inferior or defeat anybody.”

Baba Ramdev claimed his movement was aimed at bringing back the Rs. 400 lakh crore black money stashed overseas and change the corrupt system. “Not all politicians, businessmen and officers are corrupt but those who are corrupt among them have created a black empire by looting people’s money. Some people have hijacked democracy and turned it into a corrupt system.”

The fight against corruption will not be easy as those who benefit from graft are powerful, he said, adding “I am ready to fast for not only three days but for 30 days as we are doing it for the starving people in the country,” he said.

He demanded a public service delivery act under which government officials have to respond to any issue brought by common man within a time-frame, failing which they will be fined and suspension will be given to repeat offenders.

Apparently targeting his critics, Baba Ramdev said, “Those on Constitutional posts must have failed to some extent so that we are being forced to take up these issues.”