PM defends crackdown on Ramdev, says there was no alternative

New Delhi/Haridwar - 06 June 2011: Breaking his silence on the police action at Ramdev's protest congregation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said it was "unfortunate" but unavoidable even as the political battle on the issue heated up with the BJP knocking at the President's door demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss black money.

In his first comments on the issue, the Prime Minister, who has been accused of mishandling the situation, said, "It is unfortunate that operation had to be conducted but quite honestly, there was no alternative."

He asserted that his government was concerned and serious about fighting corruption but maintained that there was "no magic wand" when his comments were sought by reporters on the much-criticised midnight police action to disrupt Ramdev's anti-corruption protest at Ramlila Maidan.

There was no let up in the war of words with the Congress making it clear that it will deal sternly with forces of communalism and anarchy.

Stepping up its offensive againt the UPA government, a delegation of BJP-led NDA met President Pratibha Patil to demand convening of a special session of Parliament to discuss the issue of black money and police action against Ramdev and his supporters.

A day after the forcible shutting of the protest by Ramdev by Delhi police in Ramlila Maidan, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance asking the government to explain the circumstances which compelled to take "brutal" action at the Ramlila Maidan.

In Haridwar, Ramdev resumed his fast vowing to continue his 'satyagraha' till the government accepts his demands on curbing corruption and black money.

PM's reaction bizarre, unexpected: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement justifying the crackdown against yoga guru Baba Ramdev, terming it "unfortunate, unexpected, and bizarre".

"It is both unfortunate, unexpected, bizarre statement made by the prime minister. It's inhuman, insensitive and complete carelessness on the part of the government," party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

"Here is a Prime Minister who is making such a remark to defend himself. He is guilty of mass torture of the common man. This government, which has come on the slogan of the common man, is all out to torture (the common man) not just on the front of price rise, but also on the physical front. The country is watching the statement of prime minister," Rudy said.

He also demanded an answer from Congress president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

"And here we would not only like to ask the Prime Minister, Madam Sonia Gandhi has to answer, Rahul Gandhi has to answer, there are many questions which will be asked now."

"Instead of coming and expressing regret on what happened and trying to find those who are responsible for these actions, the Prime Minister is trying to condone an act of violence unleashed on common people and he is trying to argue logic on behalf of the government," he added.

source: Agencies