The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the government on eviction of Baba Ramdev from the Ramlila ground. Taking suomoto cognizance of Baba’s eviction by the government the apex court gave the government two-week notice to respond. An advocate on Sunday approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the government to issue a white paper on the entire episode leading to the eviction of yoga guru Ramdev and the alleged barbaric police action early today against his followers at the Ramlila Grounds.
The petition filed by Ajay Agarwal said in the white paper the government should explain the entire sequence of events, details of negotiations and the so-called deal between the government and Ramdev.
The petition, moved before Additional Registrar Vinod Kumar who is the vacation officer, sought a direction to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police to produce the entire records leading to the action.
The advocate has sought the production of these records with in 24 hours.
The additional registrar asked Agarwal to mention the petition tomorrow before a vacation bench comprising justices B S Chauhan and Swantanter Kumar at 10:30 am for hearing.
The petition has also sought direction to the government to restrain its ministers — Kapil Sibal , Subodh Kant Sahay and Pawan Kumar Bansal — from making any statement, justifying the midnight swoop which is leading to provocation among the public.
In the petition, Agarwal has named Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Sibal, Bansal, Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, Home Secretary G K Pillai, IB Chief Nehchal Sandhu and Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta as respondents.
In the petition, the advocate has alleged that the forceful eviction of Ramdev and the use of force against his followers was against the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 14,19 and 21 of the Constitution.
7-6-11
The use of force at midnight was really unfortunate and un-called for, particularly when most of the people – senior citizens, women and children are half-asleep. The more humane way could have been:
With 5000 or more police personnel being around, police should have made repeated requests to the people to leave Ram Lila Maidan for their own safety. If they had done so for about an hour or so, at the same time giving warning of forced eviction, most of the people would have left.
Smaller number of people left behind could have been rounded-up with minimal use of force and let-off later.
It seems the PM is not using his wisdom and authority but leaving it in the hands of those who are arrogant and have revengeful mind-set. At least, the PM shouldn’t have justified lathi-charge.