BJP targets PM, Sonia for police crackdown on Ramdev

Lucknow, June 5 (PTI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Sunday alleged the crackdown on "peaceful and unarmed" people
at Baba Ramdev's hunger strike in Delhi as reminscent of the
Emergency and accused Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and
Indian National 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 Sunday and asked its party cadre across the country to
join the protest.

Senior BJP leaders will sit on a protest at the
Rajghat in Delhi from Sunday evening.
Interestingly, Gadkari did not mention Ramdev even
once in his press conference here and spoke only about the
"peaceful and unarmed" women and children who had to bear the
brunt of police atrocities.
"The Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi should apologise
to the nation. The government has lost its right to rule,"
Gadkari said.
Asked about the allegations of financial wrongdoing
against Ramdev, Gadkari said these are charges being spread by
Congress. "Is this the way we treat our women and children. Is
this the treatment that should be given to sadhus?" Gadkari
asked.