Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) Taunting yoga guru Baba Ramdev for his anti-graft movement and hunger strike, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni Thursday asked him not to use his popularity as a wellness instructor to further his political agenda.

“Those who want to indulge in politics should use a political platform,” Ambika Soni told a press conference here, when asked to comment on Ramdev’s indefinite fast since Saturday to seek action on bringing back illegal money stashed in tax havens abroad.

“Baba Ramdev has taught yoga across the country and that is the basis of his popularity,” she said, alluding to his lack of political experience or stature.

“When he shares the dias with people who are known to have divided the country in the name of religion, then you can only imagine what goes on in the mind of the common man,” she said, but did not name anybody or any organisation.

She also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying it has lost its political ground and “is devoid of issues”.

She said the BJP was “now leaning on such persons (like Ramdev) and seeking to gain politically from their actions”.

Soni was commenting when her views were sought on BJP leader Sushma Swaraj visiting Haridwar to meet Ramdev, who has been continuing his fast in the pilgrimage town of Uttarakhand after his protest rally at the Ramlila Ground was forcibly broken up by police post-midnight June 4.