Itanagar: Yoga guru Ramdev on Saturday alleged
that he was called a 'bloody Indian' by a Congress MP from
Arunchal Pradesh in public view during a yoga camp in the
state, a charge denied by the lawmaker even as the incident
drew condemnation from the BJP.
"He is calling me bloody Indian.... In India I am
being called a bloody Indian... this has happened for the
first time," Ramdev said pointing to Congress Ninong Ering,
who was standing near the dais where the yoga guru was sitting
during the camp at Pasighat in East Siang, about 280 kms from
here.
However, the MP denied saying anything against Ramdev
and claimed that he had only objected after the yoga guru
levelled allegations of corruption against the Nehru-Gandhi
family and the central government.
"This is very unfortunate. I never said anything
against him... At the end of the session, he started speaking
about politics.. so I said 'Babaji, I think we should stick to
yoga instead of going into politics'. I think he couldn't hear
me.... then his bodyguards came and pushed me," Ering who
represents Eastern Arunachal constituency said.
District Magistrate Onit Panyang said Education
Minister Bosiram Siram had intervened and sought an apology
from Ering.
The BJP was quick to condemn the alleged remarks made
by the lawmaker, saying the MP had no right to sit in
Parliament if he did not consider himself an Indian.
"Ering's comments are utterly irresponsible and
seditious. He has abused Baba Ramdev and called him a bloody
Indian. We condemn this outburst. Ramdev is a revered figure,"
BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.
The principal opposition also asked Ering if he
considered himself an Indian.
"When he calls somebody a bloody Indian does Ering not
recognise Arunachal Pradesh to be a part of India? If he does
not consider himself an Indian then he has no right to sit in
Parliament," he said.
BJP demanded that the Congress and the government take
"immediate action" against Ering.
The Congress, meanwhile, said that it was looking into
the matter.
"Nobody should use uncivilised language in any walk of
life," Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said but quickly
added he would comment only after inquiring into the matter.
"We will inquire into it... We respect Baba Ramdev for
his contribution in the field of yoga. We will comment once
the concerned general secretary in-charge apprises us," Ahmed
said.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, February 19, 2011, 21:16