Baba Ramdev’s fast gets 32 lakh supporters

With yoga guru Baba Ramdev declaring that he will fast-unto-death to demand recovery of black money from foreign banks, 32 lakh people have reportedly registered for the nationwide campaign.

Read this : Fast hasn?t ended, they wanted to kill me: Baba Ramdev

Following Gandhian social activist Anna Hazare?s footsteps, Ramdev said he would start his ?satyagraha? on June 4.

According to reports, the government is trying to convince Ramdev to withdraw his campaign and has even briefed him on steps being taken to recover black money and the legal hurdles involved.

?I will start my ‘Satyagraha against Corruption’ movement on June 4 at Ramlila Maidan here to force the government act on corruption-related issues, especially that related to black money. My supporters across the world will also fast with me,? Ramdev told reporters.

“The Centre has not taken any concrete decision on the issue of black money. The fight against corruption will continue till it is not rooted out. We must have a strong Jan Lokpal by August,” he said.

“I just want to say that whatever they have consented to on certain issues, the fact is it’s stuck within time and system. How will this black money come back?” Ramdev said.

“We are waiting for the ratification of the UN convention in which there are 71 articles and according to that all the rules and regulations will be made. What I have spoken to government is all about black money and how this black money can be brought back,” he said.

Ramdev said he has invited Hazare to join his movement. But, Ramdev said, he is not influenced by the Gandhian?s hunger strike.

“Annaji’s agitation was on the single issue of Lokpal Bill. We have to take the agitation to the next level,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hazare extended his full support to Ramdev.

“We are supporting Ramdev Baba, whoever stands to fight corruption it is important to support them… we have to remove corruption,” Hazare said.

Pertinently, Hazare?s 98-hour-long hunger strike had compelled the Central government to form a joint-committee to freshly draft the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen?s Ombudsman Bill) pushed back for 42 years.

The Central government had on Jan 18 submitted to the Supreme Court the list of Indians who have accounts in Liechtensteins LGT Bank in a sealed cover.

Media reports said that at least 26 names have been included in the list submitted before the apex court by the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

The government, however, refused to share the information in public domain, stating that it would violate a sovereign agreement between India and Germany.

The government has maintained that making the names public would violate Clause 26 of the DTAA and also hamper negotiations with Switzerland and a dozen other countries on amending the existing DTAAs to provide for exchange of information related to bank accounts.

Under the clause, the information submitted is privileged and details of the informant, its recipient and that of accountholders cannot be revealed to any third person except share it with the court or investigating agencies.