Congressmen burn effigy of Ramdev, demand his arrest Thane

Congressmen from Navi Mumbai today burnt an effigy of yoga guru Baba Ramdev and demanded his arrest for his alleged derogatory remarks targeting party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi. Navi Mumbai Congress chief Dashrath Bhagat led a protest march here, in which a number of local party leaders and activists participated.

Members of NSUI, the party's student wing, also took part in the agitation, which culminated in the burning of an effigy of Ramdev as a mark of protest against his remarks. Vice-President Thane District NSUI Rahul Trimbake and General Secretary Manoj Maharana dubbed the yoga guru as an "agent" of BJP and demanded his arrest. Last week, addressing a programme in Lucknow, Ramdev had said, "Rahul goes to Dalits' houses for honeymoon and picnic." After massive outrage, he had expressed regret.

A number of FIRs have been filed against the yoga guru, a known supporter of BJP's Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi, under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in several cities for his alleged anti-Dalit remarks.