Ramdev's agitation independent of any political motive: Sadhvi Rithambara

New Delhi, June 4 (ANI): Sharing the dais with yoga guru Baba Ramdev with his fast against corruption, former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sadhvi Rithambara today said the stir was independent of any political motive and would continue till the corrupt are punished.

"This agitation is not a political movement nor is it to uproot any government; it is an anti-graft stir and would continue till the corrupt are punished," she said.

Several leaders of the federal ruling Congress party have slammed the yoga guru in many fora in the past few days, alleging that his struggle is politically motivated.

Rithambara further said corruption is an outcome of not following one's own culture.

"For 65 years, we have been moving towards self-destruction. By losing our own identity and emulating other countries has been a matter of pride for us. We have been blind to our own culture, and it is a matter of shame. Its consequences are in front of us," she said

The yoga guru began the protest along with thousands of his followers at the Ramlila maidan as he was joined by Swami Sadhavi Ritambhara and other religious leaders from the Sikh, Jain and Muslim communities.

Before commencing his fast, Ramdev held a yoga and 'bhajan' session during which he told the gathering that the protest was intended to save the country from corruption and ensure that the poor get a good life.

He said his "satyagraha" along with thousands of people around the country was to ensure that corruption is rooted out from the nation.

""What will India get from this protest? India will be saved now... People will get an opportunity for the first time that in all government professional colleges one can carry on the studies in his mother tongue," he added.

A large number of security personnel, including women from Rapid Action Force, were deployed at the protest site to ensure no untoward incident takes place. A manual frisking is also being carried out at the entrance.

Yesterday, four hours of negotiation at a five-star hotel in Delhi did not give the government the way out it was seeking. (ANI)