Right backs Ramdev,Anna brigade holds back

Some 200 persons,including women,actually sat on fast at the venue in Ahmedabad though more than 500 had registered for it. There were no politicians or state officials at the venue,but a good sprinkling of teachers and professionals like doctors and engineers were seen.

Shyamal Kishore Kushwaha of Bharat Swabhiman Trust (BST) and Patanjali Yog Samiti,which are hosting the event in Ahmedabad and other cities in Gujarat, claimed that the rather low turnout of fast-volunteers was due to the lack of space at the venue and also because similar dharnas were being held in all district headquarters in the state. Kushwaha said all expenses for the programme were being borne by BST in Ahmedabad.

The organisers had asked for permission for the programme to be held outside the district collectorate office with huge open space but the state administration,at the last moment,rejected it and instead allowed them to hold it outside the Town Hall.

Speakers from various organisations focused on one single theme: bring back black money deposited in Swiss and other foreign banks and punish the depositors by giving them capital punishment or life term,the same demands as made by the yoga guru.

Interestingly,a similar event had been organised at the same venue about a month ago in support of Anna Hazare,which was attended by the state’s senior Gandhians like Chinubhai Vaidya and activists like Mallika Sarabhai. They kept away this time. Asked why so,Sarabhai said,“I do not believe in corporal punishment or in leaving the PM and judiciary out of the Lokpal Bill. I also do not believe in the saffron brigade’s agenda.”

The venue was decorated with flags and festoons of the Patanjali Yoga Samiti. Ramdev’s supporters also injected an element of religion or spirituality into the movement,raising slogans with religious connotations,while Anna’s flock last month had restricted themselves to more sober slogans.

Other outfits lending support to today’s event include Arya Samaj,Gayatri Parivar,Art of Living, Kabir Samaj,Gujarat Muslim Sangathan,Bharatiya Adhikar Sangh,Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad,Gujarat Pratinidhi Sabha,Jain Samaj,Agarwal Samaj,Shriram Foundation,Bharatiya Samajik Samrasta and Ahmedabad Motor Transport Association.

Vadodara: Fast and the furious

In Vadodara,the event started with an altercation between the police and the fast enthusiasts after permission to hold the programme was declined. About 100 supporters of Ramdev then started their token fast opposite the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel statue in Sayajigunj area,as demanded by the police.

With 400-odd members of the Patanjali Yog Samiti gathered from 12 talukas of Vadodara district,the office-bearers of the Samiti claimed 100-odd sat on the token fast on Saturday.

The Patanjali Yog Samiti claimed organisations like Baroda Information Technology Association have also extended financial support. “There are some organisations that agreed to provide with the tent and similarly others have funded the drinking water facility. So far,we have spent only Rs 10,000,” said Pradip Patel of Patanjali Yog Samiti,Vadodara.

Saurashtra holds fast to symbols

In Saurashtra,a couple of social and religious organisations hosted a symbolic fast on Saturday. Patanjali Yog Samiti took the lead with its branches across Saurashtra mobilised for the event.

The PYS also announced a yoga shibir at Trikaun Baug Yagnik Road on the side,until the agitation lasted.

Other outfits like the Swaminarayan Trust,Vivekanand Youth Club,Bharat Swabhiman Trust and the VHP also chipped in with their members.

Bollywood musician joins Surat sit-in

In Surat,hundreds of people took part in two different rallies in support of Ramdev’s fast. A special attraction was Bollywood music director Ismail Darbar,who joined the dharna organised at Chowk Bazaar near Mahatma Gandhi statue. Many assembled at Athwagate with anti-corruption banners and pledged support to Ramdev.

Several sadhus and members of organisations like Disha Foundation,Akhil Bhartiya Sarvadalia Gauraksha Samithi,Surat Brahmin Samaj,Surat Auto Rickshaw Union and a few municipal councillors were present at Chowk Bazaar.