Support from dabbawalas, Vidarbha farmers for Ramdev

Mumbai, Jun 3: With the stage set for Baba Ramdev"s fast on Saturday, there seem to be a clear division in the voices for and against the campaign. The latest support has come from the dabbawalas of Mumbai and the thousands of Vidarbha farmers and farm widows who have agreed to offer their unwavering backing to the cause.

Raghunath Medge, President of Nutan Dabbawala Trust said, “Around 5,000 dabbawalas (lunch-box carriers) have extended their moral support to Baba Ramdev." The move will become a moral high-point to the anti-corruption campaign for Ramdev and his supporters. Medge added that the dabbawalas will not be physically present in the venue to fast and show solidarity.

He stated, “If our dabbawalas also start fasting, around 2,00,000 Mumbaikars will have to go hungry. I wish we had a bigger workforce."

The Vidarbha farmers have also offered their support with as many as 800 farmers descending on to the Ram Lila grounds where the fasting will kickstart from Saturday, Jun 4. Kishor Tiwari, leader of the farmers group said, "Around 500 farmers and 300 farm widows will be fasting alongside Baba Ramdev to express their support for his cause. Also, thousands of farmers and farm widows in 116 Vidarbha villages will sit on a relay fast everyday near the gram panchayat office of each village."

Other like-minded parallel groups are also set to embark on fasting like the Mumbai volunteers of India Against Corruption (IAC) who were instrumental in mobilizing thousands to go on fast in support during Hazare"s fast against corruption. The IAC members will join hands with citizens and fast at Mumbai's Azad Maidan in a show of solidarity.

An IAC official commented, “Tens of thousands of stickers have been distributed to government and private offices and shops to sensitise citizens against the evil of corruption. National heroes like Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev have shown way for democratic agitation against an insensitive government and its select officials, and we will support them in their fight."

OneIndia News