Ramdev announces peaceful march to parliament

New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) Yoga guru Baba Ramdev Monday announced a peaceful march to parliament and said he should be allowed to go ahead because he wanted to be heard by corrupt parliamentarians. However, Delhi Police said he would not get the permission to do so.

Asking supporters at Ramlila Maidan here to be prepared for the next phase of their agitation against black money and corruption, he said: "We will march towards parliament peacefully. We respect parliament and good parliamentarians. We don't want a single corrupt leader elected to parliament next time. So, don't stop us, we just want to be heard."

He asked supporters to be "non-violent and peaceful". Recalling the 2011 agitation at the same venue, he said: "We expect that Delhi Police too will not take the law in its own hands like it did last time."

The yoga guru had staged a similar protest at the same venue in June 2011. But a midnight crackdown by Delhi Police ended in bedlam, leaving a woman dead. Ramdev was then forced to leave Delhi.

Ramdev said there could be antisocial elements in the crowd representing anti-national political parties who may indulge in mischief. "Police should arrest them immediately," he added.

"I ask all of you to stand up and get ready for the next phase of our movement. The youngsters will lead the march towards parliament that will begin soon," announced Ramdev amid huge cheers and applause from his followers.

Heavy security was deployed in and around Parliament House since morning. Delhi Police personnel were deployed inside Ramlila Maidan as well.

According to Delhi Police, Ramdev does not have the permission to protest outside parliament.

"We have given the permission to protest at Ramlila Maidan till Aug 30. He won't be allowed to protest outside Parliament House," Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Chandra Srivastava told IANS.

He said Ramdev would not be forcibly evicted from the grounds.

Ramdev has announced that he was continuing his fast. His three-day fast against corruption and black money ended Saturday evening.