JOIN USAddressing journalists, Chidambaram, airing his views for the first time after the forceful eviction of the yoga guru on June 5, said Bharat Swabhiman Trust of Ramdev was given permission to hold a yoga camp but it was turned into a fast- unto- death.
While 40,000 people converged on June 4, over a lakh were expected on Sunday and hence the government decided that fast would not be allowed, he said. He was critical of the guru who stated that he would raise an arms cadre. “ I think by making that statement he has exposed his true colours and intentions. Let him do so and the law will deal with that”.
Asserting that the decision to deny permission to Ramdev if he went on fast was taken in advance, Chidambaram said it was not enforced earlier because the government was engaged in a dialogue.
“The government sincerely engaged in talks with him in the hope that he will give up the agitation progarmme but as it turned out, he did not keep his assurances. Ultimately when the talks failed and he went back on his words, police was told to enforce the decision.”Asked whether there would be blanket ban on Ramdev entering Delhi, he said it would depend on what he wants to come to Delhi for.