Ramdev's agitation "expensive", govt discriminating: Patkar

Social activist Medha Patkar -- who recently concluded her own hunger strike over the issue of removal of slums in Mumbai -- on Friday said that Baba Ramdev's agitation was "expensive".

Social activist Medha Patkar -- who recently concluded her own hunger strike over the issue of removal of slums in Mumbai -- on Friday said that Baba Ramdev's agitation was "expensive".

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"Such expensive agitations show a different face of protest. We are also against corruption, but such an expensive agitation...by spending crores," Patkar said, talking to PTI.

The corproratisation of economic policy has led to the black money, Patkar said. She cautioned that there was a danger of Ramdev's agitation turning into a mere mass gathering.

Patkar also flayed the government over the difference in the treatment meted out to Ramdev and Anna Hazare, without naming the latter. "The state should not discriminate between agitations. Ministers going to airport (to receive Ramdev).. It sends out a different message," she said.

"Are they behaving as ministers or (Ramdev's) followers," Patkar said.