Baba Ramdev ends his fast after 9 days

Dehradun:  Yoga icon Baba Ramdev has finally ended his hunger-strike after nine days. The breakthrough came after a galaxy of religious and political leaders met him at the Himalayan Hospital in Dehradun and convinced him to end his fast.

Doctors said he will be discharged from hospital in two-three days though his condition is "stable".

The man who played a pivotal role in convincing Baba Ramdev is Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar who met him at the hospital for the third time today.

Addressing mediapersons afterwards, Sri Sri Ravishankar said, "Baba Ramdev has ended his fast and has taken a glass of juice. We thank everyone for the support."


Other spiritual leaders who pitched in were Morari Bapu and Kripalu Maharaj.

Many NDA leaders like Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and former Haryana Chief Minister and INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala were also present at the hospital to talk Baba Ramdev out of the fast.

Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, who also reached there, said, "I am here as a person who is fighting corruption, and not as a politician. What Baba Ramdev has done for the cause is appreciable. But this government is heartless."

He also said though the fast has ended, "the movement will continue".

Meanwhile Congress General Secretary, who has in the recent past been very vocal against the yoga icon, said he was glad the drama ended. "I am very happy that this nautanki (drama) has come to an end. The government had already agreed to most of his demands after he met the ministers. So therefore, there was no need for him to go on a hunger strike...Now we should get on and have faith in the government which is very sincere to unearth black money and take strong action against corruption." (Watch)

As the news of Baba Ramdev breaking his fast spread, there were cheers on the faces of his supporters who chanted victory slogans.

Baba Ramdev's close associate Acharya Balakrishna, who also ended his fast at the hospital, said, "Ramdev has considered the request of hundreds of his followers and people from the saints' fraternity".

Balakrishna, however, said, "He (Ramdev) will take this satyagraha forward till his last breath."

Ramdev was admitted to the Himalayan Hospital in Dehradun on Friday after his condition deteriorated following his fast against corruption. There were also some concerns regarding Baba Ramdev's health as his blood pressure had dropped despite treatment. However, doctors briefed the media on Saturday and said the condition of the yoga guru is improving.

The yoga icon whose followers run into lakhs started his fast on June 4 in Delhi at the Ramlila Maidan. 65,000 people were in attendance on Saturday night when the police broke up the camp with teargassing and a lathicharge. The Baba was evicted and flown back to Uttarakhand.

Source: NDTV