Congress demands arrest
Lucknow: Yoga guru Ramdev on Sunday faced more heat over his controversial “honeymoon” remark against Rahul Gandhi, with authorities banning all his programmes in Lucknow till the elections are over and Congress demanding that he be arrested.
It came a day after FIRs were filed against Ramdev in Lucknow and Sonbhadra over his remarks that had sparked massive outrage with Congress, BSP and others terming them “anti-dalit” though Ramdev later expressed regret to the community.
“All the programmes of Ramdev have been banned in Lucknow. The district administration had earlier taken an affidavit from Ramdev that only yoga programmes will be held by his organisation and no remarks will be made which could hurt any religion or community,” a senior official told PTI.
However, Ramdev has made remarks which have led to protests due to which all his programmes in the city have been banned till May 16, he added.
Ramdev, who is supporting BJP, had on April 25 said, “Rahul Gandhi goes to houses of Dalits for honeymoon and picnic.
“Congress on Sunday stepped up attack on the yoga guru demanding his arrest. “He has insulted the Dalit community…there are certain crimes which cannot be pardoned,” party leader Rashid Alvi told reporters in Delhi.
Congress spokesperson Neem Afzal said he should be arrested and cases should be slapped against him under the SC and ST Act.
In the backdrop of the controversy, the Election Commission has come out with fresh guidelines barring people from making “malicious” statements about the private life of individuals and said those violating the directive would not be allowed to hold programmes during polls. The EC also cautioned people against invoking religion as it may create disharmony.
Congress had yesterday termed as “shameful and despicable” Ramdev’s controversial remarks and had sought an unconditional apology from him as well as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, alleging the yoga guru is part of his coterie.
The Left parties and BSP too had demanded legal action against Ramdev. (PTI)
After Ramdev’s remark, EC issues fresh guidelines
New Delhi: In the backdrop of yoga guru Ramdev’s ‘honeymoon’ remark against Rahul Gandhi, the Election Commission has come out with fresh guidelines barring people from making “malicious” statements about the private life of individuals and said those violating the directive would not be allowed to hold programmes during polls.
The EC also cautioned people against invoking religion as it may create disharmony. The chief electoral officers of states have been directed that those who violate the latest guidelines “should not be allowed” to hold programmes during the period of elections.
It also said in case of violations, appropriate remedial and penal action should be initiated immediately.
“They (people) should not indulge in any activities or make any statements that would amount to attack on personal life of any person or statements that may be malicious or offending decency and morality,” the EC said without naming Ramdev.
The poll panel said it has received complaints from various quarters that some social, cultural or religious organisations, associations and formations were making appeals to electors “amounting to election campaign” in favour of or against certain political parties or candidates by holding congregations, yoga camps, conclaves, meetings and processions.
“These complaints also point out that some of these organisations/associations, in their campaign, are also invoking religion and are playing on the religious sentiments of electors to whom such appeals are addressed,” the EC said.
The EC directive referred to complaints being received that certain organisations were using their programmes for electioneering.
The panel said organisers of such programmes “should not invoke, in any manner, religion or religious grounds or indulge in any activities that are likely to create disharmony among different classes or groups of people, in their campaign”. (PTI)
