Ramdev's fast fizzles out in rain, eight hurt in tent collapse

Heavy rains and the absence of any celebrity ensured that the turnout remained low on the third day of yoga guru Baba Ramdev's fast at the Ramlila Maidan. HT reports

Heavy rains and the absence of any celebrity ensured that the turnout remained low on the third day of yoga guru Baba Ramdev's fast at the Ramlila Maidan.

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The ground turned muddy and tents started leaking due to rains, which also led to the collapse of a portion of tent at the venue.

Eight women were injured in the incident.

All of them were provided medical attention on the spot by the health professionals deployed at the venue. None of them suffered any major injury.

"All of them had minor bruises, which were treated by us. We have sufficient arrangements to provide first-aid," said a doctor deployed at the medical counter.

Supporters of Ramdev also heckled media persons alleging biased coverage of the symbolic fast.

"News channels and papers are running a negative agenda against Baba. Swamiji is a selfless man, who is fighting to save the country. Instead of supporting us, you people are trying to undermine our movement," Anand, a Ramdev supporter told this reporter.

As absence of any big faces supporting Ramdev's agitation became a point of discussion, the yoga guru on Saturday announced that ex-army chief General VK Singh will join him on Sunday.

"We will wait till evening (to hear from the government on our demands). Our three day deadline ends then," Ramdev said.

He said he will submit support letters collected from gram sabhas and MPs to President Pranab Mukherjee and urge him to put pressure on government to act.

The 'mother of all protests' as it was called by Ramdev, his final fight against corruption seemed to be collapsing just like other protests with neither the crowd nor the government paying any heed to the yoga guru's theatricals at the Ramlila Maidan.