Talks fail, Baba will be on fast in hi-fi AC pandal from today

Union ministers unable to convince Baba Ramdev to stop his indefinite hunger strike; thousands pour in at the fancy pandal at Ramlila Ground, which is equipped with fans, LCD screens, CCTVs and water coolers among other things
New Delhi: Talks between Union ministers Kapil Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay with Baba Ramdev over the yoga guru’s proposed fast against corruption from Saturday, failed to achieve a breakthrough on Friday.

Sources said that no compromise could be reached as Ramdev insisted on going ahead with his fast at Ramlila Ground from today.

After the six-hour meeting with Ramdev at a five-star hotel here, Sibal said, “Though the government gave written answers to the issues raised by him (Ramdev), an agreement could not be reached. I have no idea about his plans.” While a spokesman for Ramdev said the answers given by the government were unsatisfactory.

Baba firm on hunger strike
Thanking people who had come from across India to support his movement, Ramdev said, “We are fasting for those crores of Indians who sleep hungry every night. It is not an easy fight as we are fighting against people who are very strong. They won’t sit quiet. The whole country is joining the fight for corruption.”

He added that his campaign against corruption was not inclined to any political party or has any communal agenda.

“Our agenda is to bring back the money which is in foreign banks and save the country. Corrupt people have no religion, they are demons. All corrupt ministers should be given the death sentence,” he said.

Ramdev said the slogan of his campaign against corruption was: “Remove corruption, bring back black money.”

Fasting in luxury
Meanwhile, thousands of people from across the country started to assemble at the decked-up pandal in Ramlila Ground on Thursday. Unlike social activist Anna Hazare’s indefinite hunger strike, which was more spontaneous at Jantar Mantar, Baba Ramdev’s fast is extremely well-organised.

With temperatures touching 40 degrees in the national capital, air conditioners, coolers, ceiling fans, LCD screens and hi-fi sound systems are being installed inside the massive pandal at Ramlila Ground. To avoid any untoward incident, hundreds of security personnel and CCTVs are being installed too.