Despite the third FIR registered against Baba Ramdev, today, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has continued to extended tremendous support to the errant yoga guru.
Earlier today Ramdev, who has the patronage of the BJP, went on national television to explain his controversial 'honeymoon' remarks made towards Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. Claiming that his statements were taken out of context, he said, “What I had meant was that Rahul Gandhi used Dalits as votebanks.” Ramdev also said that certain parties were trying to provoke Dalit sentiments against him. "I have already apologised but Congress is raking up the issue as it is using the dalits as vote bank," he said.
He has, however, received the support and sympathy of the BJP leaders. Subramanian Swamy, for one, claimed, “Ramdev has clarified and regretted his comments. Attempts are now being made to trouble him.”
BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain also came out in defence of Ramdev. "Ramdev is a saint. When he selects words like honeymoon, which is an English word, the context should be understood and its usage seen and not be misconstrued... It did not have the kind of meaning as Congress leaders were viewing it as per their own perception," Hussain said.
Another BJP leader Udit Raj, a Dalit himself for that matter, said Ramdev has not said anything "wrong" against Dalits and his intention against them was also not "wrong". He went on to defend the use of the word 'dalit' saying, "The word honeymoon is viewed in different contexts. There is honeymoon between parties, people and used for the business community. It is also used to say that Kejriwal's honeymoon has ended. It should be seen in this context and no wrong meaning should be construed to Ramdev's words."
He added that the word honeymoon has a wider meaning and does not have just one meaning but many, and he being a Dalit leader would have himself opposed him if Ramdev would have said something wrong. "The meaning of the word and the intention behind its usage should be viewed in the right context. Ramdev is not of those kind that he would use such words in a bad context. His intention towards Dalits is not wrong," he said.
Support also came his way from Akhil Bhartiya Safai Mazdoor Group,
The love and admiration were definitely mutual as Ramdev, too, reiterate his support to party's. “India faces two major crisis—of character and economy. Narendra Modi is one leader who can address both these issues.” He also tweeted:
ALSO READ: Will Narendra Modi allow Baba Ramdev to become his Dhirendra Bhrahmachari or Chandraswami?
At a rally in Lucknow, Ramdev had said that Rahul Gandhi goes to Dalits' houses for honeymoon and picnic. The statment received massive public outrage and condemnation. Apart from three FIRs, the yoga guru's rallies have also been banned in Amethi.
ALSO READ: Why Baba Ramdev makes us laugh and cry at the same time
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