Police questions Baba Ramdev assaulter

New Delhi, Jan 14 (ANI): A few hours after a man named Kamran Siddiqui, splashed black ink on yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Delhi Police began questioning the attacker after detaining him.

Earlier in the day, Siddiqui suddenly walked up to Ramdev after a news conference and threw black ink on the yoga guru, before being apprehended and roughed by the people present at the venue.

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

Speaking to mediapersons, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi District), Seju P Kuruvilla, said authorities would initiate legal action against Siddiqui once the motive behind the attack is ascertained.

"The police have detained him (Kamran Siddiqui). He is presently being questioned to ascertain the intention and motive behind such an attack. Legal action will be initiated once the interrogation is completed," said Kuruvilla.

Several leaders from across the political spectrum, unequivocally condemned the 'ink attack' and demanded strict action against the perpetrator.

Voicing his disapproval over the assault, legislator from New Delhi's Okhla area, Mohammad Asif Khan, alleged that Siddiqui had been actively involved in several political rallies and events of national opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"I have concrete evidence, and everyone knows this, that he (Kamran Siddiqui) had gone and worked in a rally of Mr. Rajnath Singh at Ghaziabad. He also used to arrange and help V K Malhotra, who is a senior BJP leader from South Delhi, in his political rallies," said Asif Khan.

Accusing Siddiqui of being a proclaimed criminal, Asif Khan further added that mediapersons and citizens to not view the incident as an act committed by a member of Muslim community.

"He is actively involved in the drug business. He is also addicted to drugs and other substances. He is also a criminal. I appeal to everyone not to treat his actions as an act done by Muslims. He should also not be linked to the Jamia Nagar area. He is a criminal minded person, and even commoners in Jamia Nagar are fed up with his actions," added Asif Khan.

Commenting on the 'ink attack', senior leader of Samajwadi Party, Azam Khan, pointed fingers at the BJP of having orchestrated the assault.

"It is obvious that this action has been carried out at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is a very painful thing that such an attack has taken place on a person of Baba Ramdev's stature. Even if we are politically opposed to Baba Ramdev, strict laws must be implemented to prevent such physical assaults," said Khan. (ANI)