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India PM: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev crackdown 'unfortunate' | India PM: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev crackdown 'unfortunate' |
(40 minutes later) | |
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has said that that the police crackdown on an anti-graft hunger strike by yoga guru Baba Ramdev in Delhi was "unfortunate". | Indian PM Manmohan Singh has said that that the police crackdown on an anti-graft hunger strike by yoga guru Baba Ramdev in Delhi was "unfortunate". |
But Mr Singh justified the move saying there was "no alternative". | But Mr Singh justified the move saying there was "no alternative". |
Police in Delhi broke up the yoga guru's fast over the weekend after angry exchanges with the authorities. | Police in Delhi broke up the yoga guru's fast over the weekend after angry exchanges with the authorities. |
Around 30 people were injured as police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of his supporters. An injured woman supporter is in a critical condition. | Around 30 people were injured as police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of his supporters. An injured woman supporter is in a critical condition. |
Civil society groups and leading anti-corruption campaigners have condemned the police action on Baba Ramdev and his supporters. | Civil society groups and leading anti-corruption campaigners have condemned the police action on Baba Ramdev and his supporters. |
In his first remarks on Sunday night's incident, Mr Singh told reporters: "It is unfortunate that the operation had to be conducted, but quite honestly, there was no alternative." | In his first remarks on Sunday night's incident, Mr Singh told reporters: "It is unfortunate that the operation had to be conducted, but quite honestly, there was no alternative." |
He said the government was "serious" about tackling corruption, but there was "no magic wand". | |
The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has criticised Mr Singh's statement, saying it was "insensitive". | The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has criticised Mr Singh's statement, saying it was "insensitive". |
"It is unfortunate, unexpected and 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. | "It is unfortunate, unexpected and 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. |
Separately the Supreme Court has directed the government to explain the circumstances leading to the crackdown at Ramlila Maidan, a ground in Delhi where the yoga guru was holding a hunger strike with thousands of supporters. | Separately the Supreme Court has directed the government to explain the circumstances leading to the crackdown at Ramlila Maidan, a ground in Delhi where the yoga guru was holding a hunger strike with thousands of supporters. |
"The brutal force that was used by the police to disperse innocent people who had gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in furtherance of the permission granted by the state is a matter of concern for the court," the court said. | "The brutal force that was used by the police to disperse innocent people who had gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in furtherance of the permission granted by the state is a matter of concern for the court," the court said. |
The government has justified the crackdown on Baba Ramdev's hunger strike, saying that the yoga guru had reneged on his promises during negotiations. | The government has justified the crackdown on Baba Ramdev's hunger strike, saying that the yoga guru had reneged on his promises during negotiations. |
Baba Ramdev has vowed to continue his hunger strike against corruption in his home city of Haridwar. | Baba Ramdev has vowed to continue his hunger strike against corruption in his home city of Haridwar. |
He wants the recovery of suspected bribe money allegedly held overseas. | He wants the recovery of suspected bribe money allegedly held overseas. |
Baba Ramdev was detained by police on Sunday night and then sent out of Delhi. | Baba Ramdev was detained by police on Sunday night and then sent out of Delhi. |
He has said that the police action on his fast in Delhi was a "blot on democracy and a conspiracy to kill me". | He has said that the police action on his fast in Delhi was a "blot on democracy and a conspiracy to kill me". |
Baba Ramdev's protest comes as the Congress-led Indian government is struggling with a corruption scandal surrounding the sale of mobile phone operating licences. | Baba Ramdev's protest comes as the Congress-led Indian government is struggling with a corruption scandal surrounding the sale of mobile phone operating licences. |
He has also called for the death penalty for corrupt government officials. | He has also called for the death penalty for corrupt government officials. |
The yogi, whose daily TV programme is watched by millions, began his fast on Saturday after cabinet ministers failed to convince him to call it off. | The yogi, whose daily TV programme is watched by millions, began his fast on Saturday after cabinet ministers failed to convince him to call it off. |