Hundreds head to Haridwar to support Ramdev's agitation

From young to old, people from all religions were seen raising anti-graft slogans, chanting holy songs and listening to sermons being given by religious leaders at the 'yagya shala' inside the Patanjali Yogpeeth.

"We have come here to help Baba in his great movement to bring back black money from abroad. We want our country free of corruption," Dr Sadaqat Ali, convenor, Muslim Rashtriya Manch said.

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"I want other Indians to support this pro-people sit in. They should come forward to protest against the government at the Centre for not showing political willingness to get black money from Swiss bank accounts," Ali said.

"We are here observing a fast with our guru (Ramdev). It is a kind of clean up operation undertaken by him for the welfare of people," said Rakesh Singh, a property dealer based in Delhi's Lajpat Nagar.

"I have been associated with Baba Ramdev for the past ten years. I want to get some knowledge from him to help people suffering in the remote areas of my state. I am also observing a fast to support him," Sanjay Kumar, who hails from Hisar in Haryana said.

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A number of volunteers wearing T-shirts of Patanjali Yogpeeth were seen guiding hundreds of people coming from all over the country to participate in the protest.

Though there are no private shops inside the huge Yogpeeth campus, certain small joints outside it are abuzz with media persons and locals, and has become 'interaction centres' for them.

"There are activities throughout the year. But I am seeing so many mediapersons for the first time in my life. But it's good that Baba's movement is spreading with the help of media," Mohan Singh, who works at an eatery just opposite Patanjali Yogpeeth, said.

"I am really pained to see Baba; at such an age, he is observing a fast and fighting against anti-social elements to weed out corruption from our country. I am confident his efforts will bring results and the government will accept all his demands," Chhavi, who has come to Haridwar along with her parents from Bihar, said.