For many, the issue of black money stashed abroad was secondary as they thronged the Ramlila ground on a hot and humid Friday.
For many, the issue of black money stashed abroad was secondary as they thronged the Ramlila ground on a hot and humid Friday.
From different corners of the country, the crowds pured in more for the man yoga guru Baba Ramdev than his mission.
Supporters of Baba Ramdev rest at a huge tent at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi where he plans to start his fast-unto-death today
Shouting slogans and singing bhajans, thousands of supporters started congregating at the sprawling ground that will be ground zero for Ramdev's indefinite fast against corruption and black money from today.
With colourful flags, banners, posters and paintings of Ramdev adorning every nook and corner, many sat in front of a big dais, singing devotional songs.
Throngs of Ramdev devotees continued to pour in every hour at the venue where the guru had addressed a gathering in the morning.
"I have been here since morning and the crowd is just swelling every hour. I had around a thousand registration forms with me in the morning and only a handful are left," said Surendra Rana, the person in charge at one of the registration tables.
A walk around the ground reaffirmed Rana's claim ofu00a0 huge numbers being attracted to the cause.
The supporters seemed to be digging in their heels as many had brought along huge suitcases with enough clothes to last for a couple of weeks at least.
"We have just arrived from Madhya Pradesh and would be staying here till Baba needs us, even if it means months. We support Baba and the cause and want a clean country," said Bhoop Singh, who was having food with his wife.
Having travelled for days from many parts of the country, the journey was tiring for many. Adding to it was the unbearable Delhi heat, which made many rush to the makeshift bathrooms at one end of the ground for a quick shower as soon as they reached the venue.
"The summers are hot back home too but not as dry as Delhi. It is the noble cause that I am supporting which is egging me to fight on," said K Ramanan from Andhra Pradesh.
Hundreds of fans, desert coolers, filtered drinking water and even a couple of ambulances are available 24x7 for the supporters, said a volunteer.
It is loyalty towards Ramdev and not what he is fighting against that seems to be attracting supporters. For many, the issue of black money and corruption were secondary.
"We are staunch devotees of Baba Ramdev and will support him in whatever he does. For us he is no less than God, he is a gyaani (wise man) and only he can cure this country of this corruption cancer," said Naresh Besoya, who had come from the yoga guru's home state Haryana with seven family members.
Agreed Senthil Menon from Kerala who confessed he was an alcoholic till a few years back. It was Ramdev's "healing" yoga that helped him to get rid of the addiction.
"I was cured in just six months," Menon said, adding it was important to support a "saint" working for such a cause. Asked about the cause itself, he replied, "That's important too."
Inconclusive dialogue
After a five-hour marathon meeting yesterday, the government and Baba Ramdev failed to reach a compromise on the demands raised by the yoga guru, who said he will launch his indefinite fast tomorrow as planned. Emerging from the meeting at a hotel in New Delhi, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said the two sides had constructive dialogue on several matters and they were very happy with the progress but these issues cannot be resolved in a day. "We have not reached a compromise yet and I will sit on fast," Baba Ramdev said after his meeting with Union ministers Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay.
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