Justice N Santosh Hegde, a representative of the civil society in the joint drafting committee for the Lokpal Bill, on Saturday said that there is nothing wrong in the presence of Sangh Parivar leader Sadhvi Ritambhara on the dais where Baba Ramdev is on a hunger strike against black money.
"As far as the presence of Sadhvi Ritambhara is concerned, she may be an accused in the Ayodhya (Babri Masjid demolition) case but we are not supporting that cause. We are supporting only the fight against corruption. If she wants to fight against corruption, I do not see why she should not be allowed to do that," he said.
When informed that Ramdev had assured Anna Hazare on Friday that no communal element will be allowed to join his satyagraha, Hegde said, "Suppose the Muslim League comes out on Sunday to support the Baba, will they say the same thing"?
Hegde said, "There are so many people like that who have been accused (of various crimes) but are holding high political offices on the ground that until they are proved guilty, they are innocent".
Responding to a question about the conflict of interest between Anna Hazare-led civil society and Ramdev's protest, Justice Hegde said, "As far as Baba's hunger strike is concerned, it is against corruption and we are also fighting against corruption. Therefore, there is no conflict and hence we welcome it and support it".