Congress has demanded the arrest of Yoga Guru Ramdev over his controversial “honeymoon” remark against Rahul Gandhi. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said, Ramdev has insulted the Dalit community and there are certain crimes, which should not be pardoned.

Congress spokesperson Neem Afzal said Ramdev should be arrested and cases should be slapped against him under the SC and ST Act.

Congress had yesterday termed as “shameful and despicable” Ramdev's controversial remarks and had sought an unconditional apology from him as well as BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, alleging the Ramdev is part of his coterie.

While Union Minister P Chidambaram had described shameful and despicable the Yoga Guru's remarks that Rahul visits Dalit homes for honeymoon, party's dalit leaders such as Kumari Selja and Krishna Tirath had said his remarks reflected a perverse mindset who has no regards and respect for Dalit women and views them only as a commodity.

Meanwhile, the Dalit community is up in arms against Ramdev for his controversial remark Rahul Gandhi. Some Dalit organisations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have given a call to vote against the BJP saying that Ramdev is a supporter of the BJP.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has threatened to launch a nationwide strike if Ramdev is not arrested. She requested the Election Commission to take strict action against Ramdev.

The Election Commission has also issued fresh guidelines in the wake of Ramdev's comment.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said Ramdev should not have made the comment. After facing criticism across the political divide, Ramdev had on Saturday apologised for the statement. Expressing regret to the Dalit community, Ramdev had said in Vadodara yesterday that the statement he made has been misrepresented. His apology came after two FIRs were filed against him in UP over the remark.

LJP chief Ram Vilas Pawan, an NDA partner, however said that the chapter should be closed, contending that he had already apologised. In Lucknow, Additional Superintendent of Police Habibul Hassan had told PTI that an FIR was lodged against him under section of 171(g) (false statement in connection with an election) of IPC.