Govt threatened me: Baba Ramdev

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday said the incident of Saturday night was a black moment for him. Addressing themedia after reaching Haridwar, Baba Ramdev said innocent people were addressed to such barbaric acts on Saturday at the Ramlila Maidan.

"I kept on telling the policemen not to torture innocent people. Families and small children were subjected to torture, were not spared, they were dragged and beaten up," Ramdev said.

"On the night of June 4, if we had not stopped our workers from getting agitated then thousands of people would have died. Such kind of cruelty was not even seen in emergency or Jallianwala Bagh," he said. He added, "I am not scared of death. But, I didn't want to die in such a barbaric act."

Baba Ramdev explained how he tried to get out of the pandal by wearing a salwar, kameez. "Tear gas were fired upon. People are still admitted to ICU. For a full 2 hours it was mayhem in the pandal, police was firing tear gas and bullets. I am not scared of death," he said.

He also said that the government kept pressurising him to end his fast. "We were assured that whatever we wanted would be done. We were told that an ordinance will bebrought to nationalise black money. We were assured that information regarding corrupt leaders, traders etc will be put in public domain.

Everything was agreed upon except for one issue. The issue which was not agreed upon was the issue of nationalising black money stashed in foreignbanks.

The government was pressurising meto end my fast," he said.

Baba Ramdev claimed that he was forced to give a letter of consent in the hotel."Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee were consulted. I got this information that either I be arrested, put in encounter or taken to an unknown destination," he claimed.

He also claimed that the government wantedhim to call off his Satyagraha on June 3. He said, "The government could not see such a large Satyagraha where crores participated across the country. We were forced to write a letter on June 3 that by June 6 we will call off our Satyagraha."

He also claimed that the last letter that was given to him by the government did not mention anything about black money.

He claimed that Kapil Sibal told him that if Anna Hazare shares the stage with him, they won't agree to any of his demands.

Attacking Sonia Gandhi, he also said, "Earlier I didn't used to pay attention to the fact that Sonia Gandhi wasn't born in this country. But, after Saturday night's incident, it shows that she does not have any place for the women and children of this nation."

Baba Ramdev also accused the UPA government of holding black money in foreign banks. He said, " Saturday night's act confirms that Rs 50 lakh crore belong to the Congress and its allies."

He also made it clear that he is not done withhis fast and will continue with his agitation.
"I am not done with my fast, I will continue with the Satyagraha, the agitation can't be removed from the hearts of people. If anything happens to me, Sonia Gandhi and the Congress government will be responsiblefor it," Baba Ramdev said.

Baba Ramdev called AICC General Secretary Digijaya Singh's comments irresponsible andrefused to comment further on that. He also claimed to have given details of every penny spent, to the government.

He said that his supporters will peacefully observe black day on Sunday evening and Money.

He asked the government an explanation on the reason behind Saturday night's act. When asked whether his talks will continue with the government, Baba Ramdev said he will update as per developments.

Responding to allegations of breaking the rules, Baba Ramdev said, "I did perform Yogaasanas at Ramlila Maidan and the whole world saw. Speaking against corruption comes under the ethics of Yoga."

Responding to allegations about him working for the RSS and BJP, Baba Ramdev said, "I am not a member of the BJP, never even campaigned for them.