NEW DELHI: Ruling out joining any political party, yoga guru Ramdev, who shared the dais with Sangh Parivar leaders in Panipat recently, has insisted he had "nothing to do with the BJP". "I am not with BJP, never was and never will be in future. I have no leanings towards any political party. There are ideal leaders in all parties and such persons always have my support," Ramdev, who has a huge following in the country and abroad, told PTI here.
The yoga guru said while he had received proposals from various political parties for either joining them or supporting them directly or indirectly in the last two and half years, he would not join any of them. "There is no possibility of my joining any political party at least in this life," he said adding that he believed in the concept of "Sarvadaliye Nirdaliye" (Independent, but with all). "It would be injustice to me if I am linked with any particular party," he added. While acknowledging that the situation in the country cannot improve without a focused political leadership, he stressed that he is close to the country and "not BJP or Congress".
On the controversy surrounding the role of Hindu religious leaders including Pragya Singh Thakur in Malegaon blasts, Ramdev said, "It is wrong to declare them guilty or innocent at this stage, when investigations are on." He hastened to add that the majority of Hindus wonder whether all this is a "politically sponsored conspiracy." On being asked about his relationship with politicians of different parties, he said his meetings with Congress leaders often go unnoticed but the same get highlighted when someone from the saffron party visits him.
"Political conspiracies have taken place since the time of Lord Rama. The latest case pertains to Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati... He kept quiet according to his nature," Ramdev said. On whether the Malegaon blast probe should be handed over to CBI, he claimed "independent, investigating agencies tend to get influenced by those in power." Touching upon the issue of conversion, Ramdev said, "About two crore people learnt yoga from me. But I did not change anyone's religion. And after all what is the need for changing religion."
The founder of Patanjali Yogpeeth in Uttarakhand, who shot to fame with his televised yoga camps, said that he plans to launch an organization at the national level which can give voice to the majority of people in all communities "who are honest and eke out their living by hard work". He also stressed the need for "moral check" on the political leadership and alluded to the ancient Rajguru concept, where the saints used to remind the kings of their duties towards people.
Print
Top
