Attempts are being made to threaten me, says Ramdev

New Delhi, Jun 4 (PTI) A combative Baba Ramdev Saturday
alleged there were attempts to threaten him and said he will
not sit back if attacks are unleashed on him.
He also said he wants concrete action on the issue of
black money rather than formation of any committee. Ramdev,
who launched his hunger strike against corruption early this
morning, reaffirmed his demand for declaring black money
stashed abroad as national wealth.
"There are attempts to threaten me," Ramdev claimed,
addressing supporters at Ramlila Maidan here.
"Some people are making irresponsible remarks like Baba
wants to create instability. I did not bring discord between
Hindus and Muslims or on the lines of caste or region," he
said in an obvious reference to Congress targeting him.
"In this fight for truth, I will not attack first but I
will not sit back if I am attacked. I will reply," he said.
Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi had said Ramdev was
being "remote-controlled" by vested political interests with
BJP and RSS and their several front organisations trying to
destabilise the government through the campaign.
"I am not agent of BJP or RSS...I am agent of farmers and
labourers...We are not against any party or individual," the
yoga guru said.
Earlier Saturday morning, Ramdev alleged that there was
some "conspiracy" to ensure that he does not go ahead with his
protest but did not elaborate. Yesterday, he had warned the
government against pressuring or suppressing the movement.
Ramdev maintained that neither he wants any political
post nor he will fight elections. "I will not be the Prime
Minister or President even if someone wants." Ramdev said no one can "shut his mouth" through any
pressure. He said his main demands are that government should
declare black money overseas as national assets and bring
charges of treason against those who stash money abroad.
Amid criticism from Congress about his movement being a
"five-star" one, he said: "People have spent their money for
this pandal... would it have been proper if so many people are
forced to sit in the sun in this heat?"
Describing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a "man of
integrity", he said if the government approaches this issue
with right intention and accepts his demands, it will get the
credit for it.
"I have not come here for getting any job or reservation.
I have not come here to beg. I am seeking what is the right of
this country," he said adding that he will talk to the
government over phone and will not "go anywhere".
Asked about Digvijay's attacks on him, he said "a
politician should not have made such an irresponsible
statement...let's talk on issues of corruption and system
change. We will talk about Baba later."
To a question on Sadhvi Rithambara joining the agitation,
Ramdev made it clear that he found nothing wrong in that.
Asked if agreeing to a joint drafting committee on
Lokpal(Ombudsman) was a mistake by Anna Hazare, he said he
will not raise any question on the Gandhian and he is with
him.