BJP targets PM, Sonia for police crackdown on Ramdev

Lucknow - 05 June 2011: BJP today alleged the crackdown on ''peaceful and unarmed'' people at Baba Ramdev's hunger strike in Delhi as reminscent of the Emergency and accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi of ordering the police action.

The party announced it would hold protests across the country against corruption and "police brutality" against Ramdev and his followers.

"The incident that took place yesterday at midnight at the Ramlila ground is one that has blemished democracy. Those people were protesting against corruption and black money through democratic means. But Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi ordered the atrocities on these people," BJP President Nitin Gadkari said here.

BJP protested the use of tear gas and lathi-charge on women and children who were agitating at the Ramlila Ground along with Baba Ramdev.

"We strongly condemn this incident which happened at the behest of the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi. Protesting in a democratic manner is our Constitutional right", Gadkari said. He said "June always reminds us of the Emergency. In 1975, after the Allahabad high court judgement, Emergency was imposed. The same is being done now".

"Women and children were attacked. They were lathicharged and tear gas was used. This reminds us of the Emergency days. We strongly condemn it," he added.

BJP announced its leaders will hold 'satyagraha' (peaceful protest) across the country for the next 24 hours.

Sensing a political opportunity in the developments in Delhi, BJP cut short its meeting of office-bearers being held here today and asked its party cadre across the country to join the protest.

source: PTI