Ramdev to fight for quota benefits for minorities

Making a conscious effort to shed his pro-Hindutva image, yoga guru Ramdev today shared the dais with Muslim leaders and announced he would launch a struggle to support their demand for amending article 341 that excludes Muslim and Christian Dalits from the ambit of reservation.

Making a conscious effort to shed his pro-Hindutva image, yoga guru Ramdev on Sunday shared the dais with Muslim leaders and announced he would launch a struggle to support their demand for amending article 341 that excludes Muslim and Christian Dalits from the ambit of reservation.

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Ramdev also announced that he would launch protests against the government demanding bringing back black money stashed away in foreign countries and against corruption on June 3 as well as in August.

Addressing a convention organised by the All India United Muslim Morcha, the yoga guru launched a scathing attack on almost all political parties accusing them of "not bothering" about the common man and "looting" the country's wealth through corrupt practices.

Ramdev, who is perceived to have links with saffron groups, also told the gathering that some people have tried building a wall between Muslims and Hindus and that such people should be "taught lessons."

"I did not know till recently that Article 341 does not cover Muslims and Christian dalits. This is not fair. Dalit is a dalit, whether he is a Hindu, Christian or a Muslim. So, all Dalits should get equal rights. We will have to struggle to achieve this. We will launch a struggle (for this). I extend my wholehearted support," he said.

Article 341 of the Constitution excludes Muslim and Christian Dalits from reservation.

He also said there was "prejudice" against Muslims in the country and that image has to be corrected. "We are with our Muslim brothers and sisters. My ashram has more than 3,000 Muslims. We have no religion there, nor any parity, nor temple or mosque. We are all one," Ramdev said.