RSS admits supporting Baba Ramdev, slams Centre for crackdown

Nagpur, Jun 7: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday late night lashed at the Centre for its midnight crackdown on protesters, including women and children, at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, while admitting that it "extended" support to yoga guru Baba Ramdev's agitation.

"The RSS was not behind the stir launched by Ramdev seeking repatriation of the black money stashed illegally in foreign banks but have extended all support to it (agitation)," RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said while addressing the outfit's workers at Reshimbagh ground here.

He said that the RSS in its Puttur (Kerala) meeting had adopted a resolution to extend all support to Baba Ramdev.

"RSS cannot remain a mute spectator to the social revolution taking place against corruption and black money. Therefore, it has asked its cadres to join the agitation," Bhagwat said.

In any case without even asking, the swayamsevaks themselves are inculcated with a sense of responsibility to join such agitations which are of prime national interest, he said.

"What provoked the government to come down heavily on the followers of Baba Ramdev at Ramlila ground when they were simply agitating to stop corruption in high-places and unearthing of the black money?" Bhagwat asked, adding that the agitations of Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare be viewed above the party politics.

The RSS chief, while condemning the midnight swoop and the events unfolded aftermath, questioned the Centre's "intention" in not holding further talks with the Yoga guru.

"(The) government should not stop the dialogue and the process must continue," he said, adding that when no one is opposed to the issues raised by the two social activists then where does the problem lie in holding a dialogue.

PTI