BJP comes out in defence of 'saint' Ramdev over 'honeymoon' remark
New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): BJP today came out in defence of yoga guru Ramdev over his remarks that Rahul Gandhi goes to dalit for "honeymoon", and said he is a "saint" whose words should be viewed in the context in which they were made and not as per the perception of Congress leaders.
"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," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.
Another BJP leader Udit Raj, a dalit, said Ramdev has not said anything "wrong" against dalits and his intention against them was also not "wrong".
"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 (Arvind) Kejriwal's honeymoon has ended. It should be seen in this context and no wrong meaning should be construed to Ramdev's words," he said.
Udit said 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.
He said by merely eating or sleeping in the houses of dalits does not change their lives as projected by Gandhi.
"Why does Rahul Gandhi not invite dalits to his own house," he said, questioning why Congress has not been able to uplift dalits despite being in power for so long in India.
On the FIR against Ramdev, Udit Raj, who is BJP candidate from North West Delhi, claimed Congress is unnerved at the fact that dalits were supporting BJP.
Asked why BJP was clarifying on Ramdev who was not even a member of the party, he said, "even though this matter is personal, we need to give a clarification as Ramdev has been supporting BJP. That is why it is our duty to support him. So there was a need to clarify from BJP side."
Earlier Report
Ramdev booked for 'honeymoon' remark against Rahul Gandhi
Lucknow, Apr 26 (PTI): Yoga guru Ramdev was today booked by Uttar Pradesh police for his controversial remarks targeting Rahul Gandhi that drew flak from various quarters with Congress demanding that he give a public apology as he had insulted dalits.
"An FIR has been lodged against Baba Ramdev at Mahanagar police station under relevant section of section 171(g) IPC (false statement in connection with an election)," Additional Superintendent of Police Habibul Hassan told PTI.
The FIR was lodged by police after analysing video clipping of Ramdev's statement made yesterday.
Ramdev, who has been supporting BJP, yesterday alleged that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi goes to the houses of Dalits "for honeymoon and picnic".
"He goes to Dalits house for honeymoon and picnic. Had he married a dalit girl, then his luck could have clicked and he would have become the Prime Minister," Ramdev had said here.
Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh today slammed Ramdev's remarks as "anti-dalit".
"Ramdev's remark is anti Dalit. He must publicly apologise."
"We would like Narendra Modi and BJP to react to Ramdev's anti-Dalit remark," Singh said on Twitter.
CPI(M) too demanded prosecution of Ramdev under the SC/ST Act for his "uncivilised statements" against Dalit women and charged him with demeaning dalit women.
It also asked the Election Commission to take suo motu notice of his "outrageous comments and take appropriate action".
BSP workers and activists of dalit organisations staged demonstration at several places against Ramdev's remarks and demanded action against him. In Phagwara, Punjab protesters blocked traffic on national highway 1 and burnt effiges.
Ramdev had said unlike Rahul, Narendra Modi and Ramdev have not become "fakir" under compulsion.
"Us bechare ki bhi kismat kharab hai (Rahul is unlucky)", Ramdev had said.
"His (Rahul's) mother says that if you marry a foreigner girl, then you cannot become the PM and this boy does not want to marry an Indian girl. His mother wants that first he becomes the PM and then marry a foreigner," he had added.
Later, in a damage-control exercise, Ramdev claimed he did not make the remarks in a negative sense and was willing to withdraw them if they have hurt the dalit sentiments.