Baba Ramdev spurns govt overtures, launches anti-graft fast

Brushing aside every attempt by the government to dissuade him, yoga guru and activist Baba Ramdev began an indefinite fast in New Delhi at 7 am in New Delhi today, demanding the repatriation of illicit money stashed away abroad. Ramdev describes his fast as a "satyagraha against corruption and black money".

Thousands of supporters joined him at the Ramlila Maidan this morning, and many more are expected to gather there through the day. Sangh Parivar's firebrand leader Sadhvi Ritambhara shared the stage with him, along with leaders from the Sikh, Jain and Muslim communities. According to NDTV, a number of RSS activist were seen at the site.

The actual protest was preceded by a a two-hour yoga practice and 'bhajan' session that started early in the morning.

Before launching the fast, Ramdev told his cheering supporters during the yoga session that the protest was intended to save the country from corruption and ensure that the poor get a good life.

"Nothing is impossible, everything is possible and we are not going to be defeated," the saffron-robed Baba, seated on an elevated platform on the dais, told the gathering, referring to bringing back black money stashed in tax havens abroad.

Ramdev arrived at the stage at around 4:50 am and was welcomed with a huge round of applause from his followers. The crowd cheered him whenever he spoke about bringing back black money and declaring it "a national asset".