Hazare, Ramdev hold day-long protest against India corruption

New Delhi: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and yoga guru Baba Ramdev held their first joint protest against corruption and black money in the Indian capital yesterday.

The day-long protest was organised amid fresh corruption allegations against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and 14 of his cabinet ministers.

Nearly 5,000 people braved the scorching heat to assemble at Jantar Mantar to lend their support to the cause which is threatening to become a major issue in the 2014 general elections.

The day-long hunger strike also marked the anniversary of the police brutality experienced by Ramdev and his followers when force was used to disperse them from the Ramlila Ground.

While Hazare and Ramdev criticised the government for their lack of sincerity in fighting corruption and bring black money stashed away in foreign banks, senior Team Anna member, Arvind Kejriwal, stole the limelight when he walked out of the venue after the yoga guru got incensed with Arvind Kejriwal for mentioning politicians in his speech.

Ramdev said that their fight is against corruption and not against individuals or any political party.

“Arvind Kejriwal should not have taken names. It could create controversy. Please don’t see it as personal attack. This fight is not against any individual,” Ramdev said.

Kejriwal had earlier said that so long as leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, A. Raja and Suresh Kalmadi remain lawmakers, the country cannot expect a strong Lokpal Bill being passed by the parliament.

Both Kejriwal and Baba Ramdev tried to play down the incident.

Kejriwal said that he was feeling unwell that’s why he left after informing both Hazare and Ramdev.

Ramdev confirmed that Kejriwal was not feeling well, but said that small differences are bound to be there.

Ramdev set the tone of the protest by exhorting Prime Minister Singh to do more to convince the masses that he was honest.

“The prime minister should not just be honest himself, he should be democratically, constitutionally honest. Mr PM you must keep your cabinet ministers honest too,” Ramdev said.

“If netas (leaders) are not corrupt, why are they shying away from making a strong Lokpal Bill,” he said.

Signature campaign

Ramdev also announced the launch of a campaign to get lawmakers to sign a petition seeking a strong Lokpal Bill, saying he would launch a nationwide campaign.

Hazare who had created problems for the government when he went on hunger strike twice in the last two years to press for a strong Lokpal Bill appeared a bit off colour, though he reiterated his determination to continue his fight against corruption.

He exhorted the youth to join his movement and said he wanted one youth from each village of the country to join him.

“If we can do that, the country will be changed for ever,” Hazare said.

“India needs a change that is possible. Corruption needs to end, the country needs development... I am ready to sacrifice everything for the nation. I am an honest person, that’s why I am able to fight these goons.” Hazare said.