Congress protests in Bangalore, demands arrest of Baba Ramdev for Dalit comments

A demonstration against yoga guru Baba Ramdev was taken out by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Scheduled Caste department from its district and block unit demanded the former's arrest for his derogatory comments on Dalits and Rahul Gandhi.

The protestors also sought the imposition of a ban on Baba Ramdev from conducting any rally. "Baba Ramdev has targeted the Dalit community in his attacks against Rahul Gandhi. We condemn what he has said, and hence, we demand his immediate arrest," said N.Manjunath, Chairman, KPCC, Scheduled Caste Department.

Baba Ramdev had on Friday commented that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited the homes of Dalits for picnics and honeymoon. The remark was not only seen as a political attack on Rahul Gandhi, but also as an insult to Dalit women. In the backdrop of the huge resentment and the furor that the remark created, the Election Commission of India issued revised guidelines to stop these 'malicious' statements, and said perpetrators of such comments would not be allowed to campaign.

Two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed against Baba Ramdev, including one by police in Uttar Pradesh. However, Baba Ramdev defended himself saying that those who misinterpreted the language should be penalised and not him. "Baba Ramdev has not used it with malicious intention towards Dalits, but those who misinterpreted the remark against the Dalit should be penalised. I have also said that I apologise if it has hurt the sentiments of the Dalit community," he said.