Poojary demands ban on protests in Rajghat

Congress respects Annas demand for strong Lokpal bill

Speaking to media persons here on Friday, Poojary said though Anna Hazare had asked the permission to stage peaceful hunger strike in Rajghat, his mate Aravind Kejrival’s speech delivered at the venue was more of provocative in nature, thus spoiling the sancticty of the place. It was nothing but a dishonour to Gandhiji, he said.

He informed that the Congress respects and supports Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption. Anna is an honest man, while it is not same with Baba Ramadev as his indefinite hunger strike is a publicity stunt, backed by religious and political agenda, he alleged.

Poojary came down heavily on Baba Ramadev’s hunger strike against corruption and said it is not a genuine fight against corruption. Baba Ramadev has been making contradictory statements. After holding a meeting with the Cabinet Ministers, Baba informed the media that the government had agreed to meet his demands, while after an hour the same Baba claimed that he would continue with his protest as the government has not fulfilled his demands. It is all a political drama backed by organisations like the RSS, alleged Poojary.

Justifying the action of the Delhi police in Ramalila Maidan in New Delhi, he said the Delhi police have done a commendable job. Despite Ramalila Maidan having the capacity to accommodate 60,000 people, Ramadev had mobilised one lakh followers and staged a hunger strike without seeking permission from the government. If at all terrorists had entered the venue as suspected by the Intelligence agencies, then one could not have imagined the consequences, he said.

Poojary also urged the government to probe into Baba Ramadev’s assets. “In the declaration of assets made by Baba Ramadev, he has not given the complete details of the companies that his trust is associated with. He has collected Rs 16 lakh from each of the Yoga camps which he had conducted under the banner “Bharath Swabhiman Yatra”, he said.

Meanwhile, Flaying Pejawar Mutt seer Vishweshatheertha Samiji, Poojary questioned if at all Pejawar seer is really against corruption, then why has he turned a blind eye towards the rampant corruption in the State? Instead of appearing in Baba Ramadev’s protest venue, let the seer raise his voice against the State cabinet ministers who are busy making money, he said.

He also said that the Central government is firm on bringing back the black money stashed in foreign banks.