Govt has Agreed to My Demands, Claims Baba Ramdev

New Delhi, Jun 4 (Agencies): Baba Ramdev on Saturday said that the Union government has agreed to his demand for declaring black money as national asset.

"My fast will be over once the government gives us a written assurance," Ramdev said.

Addressing mediapersons in Delhi, Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal said that the government has agreed to Baba's demand of declaring black money as national asset. Sibal said that government expressed its inability to bring in an ordinance over black money.

Sibal further said that the government would come out with a report on black money within six months.

Earlier, hitting back at the Congress for alleging that his movement has been hijacked by communal forces, Baba Ramdev on Saturday said that spirituality should not be misunderstood as communalism. Our movement is above religion, Ramdev said.

"People who see communal agenda have lost their mental balance," Baba said.

Replying to the charges made by his critics, he said, "All expenses have been paid by people attending the fast."

Baba was addressing his followers after attending another round of talks with the government representatives. The outcomes of the talks were not known.

Meanwhile, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of senior ministers to discuss the demands of Baba Ramdev.

Baba Ramdev took a two-hour break from the protest saying he has to discuss issues with government representatives on his demands for bringing back black money stashed away abroad and end corruption.

"There will be a two-hour break now. I have to discuss issues with government representatives," Ramdev said addressing his followers at Ramlila Maidan where he started his hunger strike.

Among the demands made by Ramdev are an ordinance to repatriate black money from abroad, capital punishment for people convicted for corruption and speedy trials of persons accused of graft.

He said government should give in writing what it can give and they should take Constitutional steps in those cases where such measures are required.

"We agreed on some issues yesterday. On some issues partial consensus was arrived at. Till 100 per consensus is reached, we will continue our protest," he said.

"I am not sitting here to rebuke anybody. If government fulfills our demand, full credit will go to government," he said.

Meanwhile, people from all walks of life and social organisations in different parts of the country today extended support to Baba Ramdev's indefinite strike against corruption by observing fasts, holding dharnas and performing 'hawans'.

In Patna, activists of more than 60 social, religious and spiritual organisations joined a demonstration under the banner of the trust of Patanjali Yoga Samiti at Kargil chowk to support Ramdev.

Ashish Kumar Sinha, convener of the Patajali Yoga Samiti in Patna District, said over 100 people sat on fast at different district headquarters in support of Ramdev.

Teachers, social activists, students and people from different sections of the society expressed support for Ramdev's satyagraha.

"The agitation will not be withdrawn in Bihar as long as Ramdev's satyagraha will continue in Delhi against corruption and bringing black money stashed away abroad back to India," Sinha said, adding campaign vehicles were being flagged off to various destinations to mobilise people's support.

Ramdev's supporters across Assam also joined his agitation in Guwahati and Dibrugarh.

A large number of the Baba's followers gathered at the Last-Gate Field in Dispur, next to the state secretariat, for demanding repatriation of black money stashed away abroad.

Arrangements for the agitational programme were made by the Assam unit of Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yoga Samity and the Bharat Swabhiman Trust.

In Nagpur, supporters of Ramdev extended support to him by performing a 'hawan' and singing 'bhajans'.