June 8, 2011 6:14 PM

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Won’t tolerate anything which can trigger conflagration: Chidambaram

The Government on Wednesday said that it is ready to allow peaceful protest on any issue in the country but will not tolerate anything which can trigger a conflagration. In an exclusive interview with Prasar Bharati, the Union Home Minister Mr P. Chidambaram said, he supported the civil society speaking against corruption by raising their voice. He, however, added that he will not support elected representatives yielding their obligations and responsibilities to civil society representatives. He said, the Central government is committed to finalise the draft of the Lokpal Bill by 30th of this month and expressed hope that the five civil society members will return to the drafting committee meeting. On the blackmoney issue, the Home Minister said the NDA did not speak up during their tenure in office. He said, a number of steps have been taken on the black money issue and the government is committed to take stern action on corruption. Mr Chidambaram also criticised the civil society members for challenging Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to a television debate on corruption, saying that debate takes place in Parliament, which is televised. Dwelling on the Baba Ramdev agitation, the Home Minister charged the RSS with being behind the Yoga Guru's anti-corruption campaign, saying the Sangh fountainhead had decided to support anyone raising the corruption issue. He dismissed the suggestion that there was difference between the government and Congress party in dealing with Ramdev's anti-corruption campaign. He said dualism is there in the BJP. He said a section of media is engaged in competitive populist coverage of the protests movement of Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev and others and maintained that it undermined parliamentary democracy. He also deplored the shameful comparison of Ramlila Ground with Jalianwala bagh by Ramdev and some political parties and the media. Justifying the police action against Ramdev and his supporters last Saturday, he said the Yoga Guru was given permission to hold the Yoga Shivir for 5,000 people, which he converted into a political platform and defied the government orders. He said, the Delhi Police Chief will reply to the Supreme Court notice on the issue, which they have already explained to the nation. Mr Chidambaram said during the police action at Ramlila ground, 39 civilians were injured and all but four were discharged with outpatient treatment. He said two injured civilians were later discharged while one was undergoing treatment and he was doing fine now. He however expressed his sadness over the condition of Rajbala, who was seriously injured during the police action on the anti-corruption protesters at Ramlila grounds. He said the government has reached out to the family and expressed his desire to meet the family members of Rajbala.

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