Ramdev breaks fast, will be in hospital for 2-3 days

Dehradun, June 12: Yoga guru Ramdev today (June 12) broke his nine-day-old fast even as doctors said he will be discharged from hospital in two-three days though his condition is "stable".

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar, who met the 46-year-old yoga exponent for the third day at a Dehradun hospital, said, "Ramdev has broken his fast by taking juice. He ended the fast in the presence of various religious and spiritual leaders".

Ramdev, who went on his hunger strike to protest against corruption and black money issues, was admitted to the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences here on Friday after his condition deteriorated at his Patanjali Yogapeeth ashram in Haridwar.

Vijay Dhasmana, the hospital director, said, "I am thankful to everyone who came here and helped Ramdev to break his fast. His health is not such that he can be discharged today.

"It will take two-three days for him to be out of this hospital. By evening he will be shifted to a deluxe general ward. His condition is stable and he has broken his fast," he said.

The yoga exponent's close associate Balakrishna, who also ended his fast at the hospital, said, "Ramdev has considered the request of hundreds of his followers and people from the saints'' fraternity".

He said, "He (Ramdev) will take this satyagraha forward till his last breath."

"The protest will continue till our last breath. Ramdev wants black money to be declared as national wealth constitutionally. We appeal to all our followers and other people to break their fast as well," Balakrishna said, adding "I also thank the media for helping us in spreading the message against corruption to the masses".

PTI