Honeymoon remark: Ramdev in pool of controversy

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati has threatened to launch a nationwide strike if Baba Ramdev is not arrested for his comment on the Dalit community. 

 

She told media: "I urge the Election Commission to take strict action against Baba Ramdev for his insensitive comments on Dalits. The Election Commission should ensure he is arrested for his statements."

 

The Congress party has also slammed Baba Ramdev and accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi of using the yoga guru as per his convenience.

 

"Modi uses Ramdev at his own convenience. Modi and Ramdev should apologise for the comment," Congress leader Kumari Selja demanded.

 

Even BJP leader  Yashwant Sinha has also disapproved of Baba Ramdev's comment.

 

"Ramdev has retracted his statement, so there's no need to comment on it further. However, I feel that it would have been better had Ramdev not made the comment," he said.

 

Meanwhile, in the wake of this comment, the Election Commission of India (ECI)  has also issued fresh guidelines for holding rallies and public meetings.

 

"They should not invoke, in any manner, religion or religious grounds in any manner, or any activities likely to create disharmony among different classes or groups of people, in their campaign. Such activities/ statements are prohibited being offences under various provisions of the law, like, section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 sections 153A, 1538, lTlc, 295A, 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code and Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988," the ECI said without naming anyone.

 

"They should not indulge in any activities or make any statements that would amount to attack on personal life of any person or statements that may be malicious or offending decency and morality," it said.

 

The ECI has further called for close monitoring of rallies or public speeches through videography.