'Ink attack' on Baba Ramdev sparks socio-political outcry

New Delhi/ Ghaziabad, Jan 14 (ANI): Leaders cut across the social and political spectrum unequivocally to condemn the black 'ink attack' on yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday, and called for strict action against the perpetrator.

Earlier in the day, a man identified as Kamran Siddiqui walked up to Baba Ramdev after a news conference and threw black ink at him, before he was apprehended and thrashed by the people present at the venue.

As chaos ensued, Baba Ramdev regained his composure and appealed to his aides and mediapersons to refrain from hurting Siddiqui.

Expressing his disapproval of the assault, Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh termed it a sinister conspiracy to fan communal flames ahead of the upcoming five-state assembly polls.

"I unequivocally condemn the incident. People should never resort to such acts. An investigation must be initiated to ascertain the true identity of the perpetrator. I have always said that only extremist Hindus and extremist Muslims perpetrate such attacks. There is some conspiracy behind this to mould the public opinion in Baba Ramdev's favour and instigate tension between Hindus and Muslims," Singh told mediapersons in New Delhi.

Noted activist and veteran social crusader Anna Hazare's close aide Manish Sisodia squarely blamed the assault on corrupt people who were opposed to Baba Ramdev's anti-black money agenda.

"The people behind this ink attack are the same persons sitting on hordes of black money. Baba Ramdev has emerged as a major voice against black money, he has also been at the forefront of the fight against corruption. This ink has been thrown on him to take away the attention from these issues," said Sisodia.

"The person who has thrown ink at him has not done this on his own account. He is an agent of those people who control black money and are corrupt," added Sisodia at a press briefing in Ghaziabad.

Rashtriya Janata Dal President Lalu Prasad Yadav called for strict legal action against Siddiqui.

"The person who has thrown ink on Baba Ramdev must be brought to book under the law. Such attacks have become very common means for such sick people to get into limelight. It began with the show-attack on former U.S President George Bush," said Yadav.

"Such people must be given strictest punishments for their actions. Baba Ramdev is a good person. Though we differ on certain issues, he has no doubt done great work for the country," he further added. (ANI)