Government to extend no-frisking privileges at airports to Baba Ramdev, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh?

The civil aviation ministry is considering whether to allow 'saints' like Baba Ramdev and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh exemption from frisking at airports. 

According to a report in The Telegraph, both Ramdev and MSG star Ram Rahim has separately requested for exemption. Minister of State for Aviation Mahesh Sharma has been quoted in the report confirming that government has received the requests for 'fast passage'. He said that government will be considering the demands "without any bias or prejudice and may accept (it) if it does not come in the way of security."

The report says that other saints have also urged to be allowed to carry their trishuls (tridents) within the aircraft. Mahesh Sharma indicated that government may relax some of its rules to allow some of these gurus to carry tridents in flights. 

Currently there is a select list of VVIPs who are in the no-frisking list which includes PM, President and other dignitaries. Ramdev's spokesperson told The Telegraph that the request has been made with the sole desire to save time. Dara Chief Ram Rahim's spokesperson didn't confirm to the newspaper about having made any special request. 

On Thursday, news broke that the government is not planning to drop Robert Vadra's name from the no-frisking list. 

Baba Ramdev is known for being close to BJP. He publicly threw his weight behind PM Modi in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insaan is an influential religious leader who has recently attracted nationwide fame after starring in the film Messenger of God. The sequel is set to hit the screens soon.