Vincent M Concessao, archbishop of Delhi Arch Diocese who had expressed reservations on Baba Ramdev’s movement, has joined Anna Hazare at his fast site near Mahatma Gandhi’s final resting place at Raj Ghat.
The gesture is seen as an endorsement of the anti-corruption movement and a reply to those who try to portray the movement as a right wing conspiracy. With this, Anna’s movement has got support from the Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, Sikh and several other religious leaders.
Congress party has been accusing Anna Hazare of helping the ‘Hindu’ cause by challenging a ‘secular’ government.
Concessao had brought out a statement condemning the police action on the “hapless people” at Ramlila maidan. “It was not at all fair for the police to use violent means on the innocent unarmed masses to disperse them in the middle of the night,” he had said.
He had, however, expressed reservations over the intentions of Baba Ramdev, suspecting whether the movement was being hijacked by the Hindu right wing parties.
Baba is an expounder of the traditional Hindu practice of Yoga, closely linked to India’s Hindu culture, making his leadership uncomfortable for many non-Hindu groups.
Concessao had said that he was sad to see and hear Sadhvi Ritmbara, an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition and a known anti-minorities activist on the stage.
ALSO SEE:
Anna calls Ramlila event a ‘crime against humanity’, says government putting up obstacles in Lokpal
Anna Hazare protest focuses on democratic rights, replies to allegations
Politics is nobody’s inherited property: Kiran Bedi
People have been upset for 62 years, you are getting upset now: Anna’s team
Sushma Swaraj says Congress diverting attention from black money using cheap accusations
Baba Ramdev action taken by Home Ministry: Digvijay Singh
Shoe thrower journalist sent to judicial custody for 14 days
Digvijay Singh denies kicking Sunil Kumar
Digvijay Singh attacks Mayawati Government over corruption, Bhatta Parsaul