Indian yoga guru detained during anti-corruption rally in New Delhi
Famous Indian yoga guru, Baba Ramdev, was arrested on Monday while he led an anti-corruption rally towards the parliament building in New Delhi.
Since last week, CNN reports, Ramdev has been demonstrating against “black money,” which is illegal Indian wealth kept in foreign banks. He also supports the creation of an anti-corruption agency to police the Indian government.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, Ramdev and his supporters were taken by police bus to a city stadium, where they were held until evening.
After they were permitted to leave, Ramdev asked to stay in the stadium until police provided food and water for his supporters. They will most likely spend the night in the stadium.
Ramdev was quoted as saying, “The government has become completely deaf. We have to make them hear us. Now our protest will move from here to the doorstep of the Parliament.” Ramdev’s slogan is, “Remove Congress and save the country.” He is referring to the Congress Party, which currently leads the Indian government.
This is not the first time a popular public figure has made press protesting corruption. In April 2011, activist Anna Hazare went on a hunger strike to pressure the Indian government into passing an anti-corruption bill.
Hazare has accused government officials, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, of corruption.
