Govt. rules out further talks with Ramdev

New Delhi/Haridwar, June 5 (ANI): The Central Government on Sunday ruled out further talks with yoga guru Baba Ramdev over his demands that black money stashed away in safe havens abroad be brought back to India.

"There is nothing left to discuss (with Ramdev). On what issue we will talk? Whatever talks had to happen have already happened," Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay.

Sahay, who was involved in talks with Ramdev to persuade him to call off his strike, further said bringing back black money stashed abroad is the agenda of the government, and added that it was committed to the cause.

Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal, also involved in talks with the yoga guru, earlier in the day justified the government crackdown, saying Ramdev politicized the whole issue.

"He had promised only for yoga and the crowd would not exceed 5,000. But around 50,000 persons were present. We had accepted all his demands in written. But Ramdev did not keep up his promise and politicized the issue. He cheated all his supporters," Sibal told reporters here.

"Baba turned his yoga session into a political stage. Now, it's clear that Ramdev is the another face of RSS," he added.

When asked whether a section within the Congress Party had opposed Ramdev's eviction plan, Sibal said: "100% united. Everybody was united on this issue. No action like this takes places without complete unity both in the party and the government."

Ramdev, however, after his arrival from New Delhi told reporters at his Patanjali ashram in Haridwar that the government had betrayed him, and termed Sibal as the 'most scheming man ever'.

Ramdev said that he will carry on his fast-unto-death protest against corruption till all the demands were met.

"Police actions reminded me of Jalianwala Bagh massacre. I will continue my fast. Policemen physically assaulted me. Everything was agreed by the government except black money issue. Children were beaten up mercilessly. Even a butcher is more kind to the animals he cuts," Ramdev told reporters at his ashram.

The yoga guru said the government was pressurizing him to end his fast.

"I was forced to give a letter of consent in the hotel. I was told to be ready to face the consequences. The government was pressuring me to end the fast. Police dragged and beat up women and children, who came to stand up against stashed black money," said Ramdev.

"Ministers did not want to meet in Ramlila ground. I did not want to meet in the minister's office. So we met in a common place - a hotel. Hunger strike will not end, it will continue till the government agrees to all demands," he added.

Terming the government's action to be barbaric, Ramdev further said that he faced atrocity for the first time.

"Government's action against me was barbaric. Last night's incident was a black movement for me. Innocent people subjected to barbaric act. It was the darkest night for me. We assured that whatever we wanted would be done," Ramdev said.

"We will observe 'Black Day' today and tomorrow. If anything happens to me, Sonia Gandhi and Congress will be responsible," he added.

The talks between the Central Government and Ramdev crashed last night with both sides citing betrayal.

The cabinet ministers, who were making all attempts to persuade Ramdev to give up his fast said that he had promised he would end his fast last evening. A letter was produced in this regard.

Ramdev, however, said the government was lying, and added that the letter had been conditional upon the government agreeing to his list of demands.

Ramdev started his indefinite 'fast-unto-death' stir on Saturday to demand several radical reforms in the prevailing political system, including a death penalty for corrupt officials. (ANI)