Ramlila at Ramlila Maidan

Government's midnight action at Ramlila Maidan is being condemned from all quarters, but it has helped in breaking the momentum the fast was gathering
Shikha Nehra Delhi
 It was only a few days back when the now deserted Ramlila Ground in Delhi was storming with preparations for the indefinite hunger strike and yoga camp called by Baba Ramdev on 4th June. Unfortunately, the fast and yoga camp
could not last for more than a day as the Delhi Police clamped down on Ramdev. Sources in the police reveal that they pushed out more than 50000 of his supporters, in the middle of the night when they were half asleep.
 The same venue, which was dressed with green carpets, red and purple tent cloth and huge posters of Baba with slogans hung from the ceiling, looked nothing like it did a few days ago.  The 2.5 lacs sq. ft. marquee and the mammoth stage are in the process of being dismantled. It was from here that Ramdev jumped onto the sea of his supporters when Delhi police came to arrest him. The maidaan rented for two months by Ramdev to be used as the centre of his fight against corruption has turned into a fortress, guarded by the police at all times on all gates.
 The exact reasons for committing the infringement of fundamental rights by police and continuing the protest after talks with the government by Ramdev are still unclear. Though, some of the demands made by Ramdev like capital punishment for corrupt officials, abolishing Rs.1,000 and Rs.500 currency notes etc. were impossible to accept, the other demand of declaring the black money stashed away abroad as national asset was agreed upon by the government. Why did Ramdev refuse to call off his satyagraha after this, remains unanswered. People leaving Ramlila maidaan condemned the police suppression.
Congress's President, Sonia Gandhi has maintained silence, despite Ramdev's remark that Mrs. Gandhi has no love for the people of this country. Even the Prime Minister made his first comment almost 40 hrs after the incident and called it 'unfortunate' but 'unavoidable'.  Nevertheless, the Supreme Court has taken a suo moto asking the Delhi Police and the central government for an explanation for the violation of civil liberties that happened in the capital.
It is also believed that the satyagraha could be a camouflaged attempt to cash upon the public sentiments against corruption with big words like national interest and welfare of the people. Otherwise, there can be other modest ways, to put across one's demand. Sunil Khurana, owner of SK Advertisers, who was given the order to design 2000 cut off size posters, told Hardnews that he will be charging Rs 2 lacs for them...... Now, if the cost of 2000 posters is Rs. 2 lacs, the cost of hiring the Ramlila ground; the magnificent marquee, the grand stage, registration and information counters, 650 restrooms and bathrooms each, special 15X15 shelter tents and 3 giant electricity generators must have cost a fortune.
Ramdev's hunger strike did come to a halt, but it still continues from Haridwar in Uttarakhand. People came to Delhi from far off places like Assam, Jharkhand etc and at their own expense and they say that they will not stop supporting Ramdev. Especially Ganesh, who came all the way from Mahrashtra to support Baba's cause. Before the midnight drama, Ganesh said, "Like soldiers we just want to save our country. This fast is a very small cost compared to their sacrifices".
This forceful eviction of Ramdev has made him more popular, helped him gain public sympathy and his love amongst his followers has only increased. Perhaps, it is only the government who has had to do the face saving.