Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ram Naik on Friday came out in defence of party president Nitin Gadkari for touching the feet of yoga guru Baba Ramdev, saying it is the Indian culture to touch the feet of the elderly.
When asked to comment on BJP leader Sangh Priya Gautam's letter to Gadkari questioning the need to show such respect to a man who is basically a medicine seller and not some spiritual guru, Naik said, "If we meet anybody, we fold our hands in respect. Baba Ramdev has his won identity in the society and that position is there because he is a saint and also leading a movement. Touching feet is the Indian culture.
"So, there is nothing astonishing in what Nitin Gadkari ji did. We always touch the feet of the elderly. I don't agree with this thinking," he added.
Gautam has accused Gadkari of demeaning the post of BJP president.
"All the MPs have been termed as thieves by Baba Ramdev. The whole issue has been criticised by Parliament members, including the BJP's. In such a situation, touching Ramdev's feet is not necessary. This has only deteriorated the party image as well as the post. I think he did this out of emotion. It is wrong and should not happen again," he said.
Gadkari, who was also criticided by the ruling Congress on this issue, had earlier defended himself, saying it was ''our culture'' to touch the feet of men dressed in saffron robes
"Our culture tells us that when a man wearing saffron clothes visits you, you take his blessings. I feel proud that I took Ramdev Baba's blessings. It is our culture. Those who don''t follow this culture may behave differently," he said.
Gadkari further said that it is necessary to bring back Indian black money for the poor, the farmers and the labourers as well as to deal with inflation and for dealing with economic problems.
"Baba Ramdev's fight against black money is very important. We as the BJP party support Baba Ramdev in this andolan. This is an agitation above party lines, this is for the benefit of the country," he added.