Ramdev begins three-day fast, warns of revolution

New Delhi  :  Back at the Ramlila Maidan to continue the movement against corruption, yoga guru Baba Ramdev Thursday began a three-day symbolic fast and warned of a revolution if the government failed to initiate steps towards a stringent Lokpal bill and bringing back black money.

“We will be impervious to all the abuses by the government in the next three days but if our demands are not accepted, then there will be a language of revolt,” Ramdev told the gathering of thousands that had assembled at the sprawling grounds here.

“We will decide on the next phase of our strategy if our demands are not met,” he said, asking social and religious organisations across the country to fight collectively against the government.

“My request to all the organisations in the country is to not wage the battle against corruption in isolation. It must be a collective fight,” he added.

Ramdev said the government would have to give in to the demand for a stringent Lokpal bill.

“The Lokpal bill should not be the government’s version which will be weak,” he added.

“We will be holding a three-day symbolic fast as part of the first phase of our protest. If the government does not listen to our demands, I will announce our future strategy on Aug 12. We will not end our fast till our demands are met,” he said.

Ramdev said he was not against any political party and was not interested in dislodging anyone.

“My doors are open to all political parties. My doors are also open to Sonia Gandhi (Congress president). I am not here to dislodge anyone from power,” he said.

Holding tricolours, thousands of Ramdev supporters packed into the Ramlila Maidan.

He appealed to them to take out peaceful yatras and candle marches all over the country.

Before coming to Ramlila ground, Ramdev paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and Bhagat Singh at Shaheedi Park respectively.

Delhi Police have given the organisers permission to host 30,000 people a day. The yoga guru has been allowed to hold the ground till Aug 30.

Thursday marks the 70th anniversary of the Quit India movement.

A similar show a year ago at the Ramlila ground ended in violence and critical injuries to a woman, who died later.

Six days ago, on Aug 3, Anna Hazare and his team members ended their fast for a stringent Jan Lokpal bill. Hazare disbanded Team Anna Aug 6.

Photo  : AFP