Demanding the death penalty for those convicted of corruption and underscoring his own role as a patriot setting out to lead a war against corruption,Yoga guru Baba Ramdev announced here today that he would undertake a fast unto death from June 4 in New Delhi. And that it would continue until the government gives in to his demands. His Satyagraha Against Corruption will seek the declaring of what he said is Rs 400 lakh crore of black money allegedly stashed away as national wealth that must be brought back to India. Stressing that this is neither a copycat satyagraha nor an attempt to upstage the Anna Hazare-led campaign against corruption,he said the inclusion of civil society members in the Lokpal Bill committee was only the beginning of the war against corruption,and that he is determined to see his demands met,whether I live or not. At a press conference dominated by bluster and black money,Ramdev said he is prepared to fast,literally,unto death. Jaan hatheli par le karke nikle hain, he said. One crore people will fast along with him at locations across the world on June 4,including Hindu,Muslim,Christian groups,NRIs and others,and the numbers would rise as the days progress,he claimed. He said he had the support of,among others,Kiran Bedi,Anna Hazare and Karnataka Lok Ayukta Santosh Hegde,although he has not invited father-son lawyer duo Shanti and Prashant Bhushan,whose inclusion in the Lokpal Bill drafting committee he had objected to. His demands,which he has stated in a letter to be sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and others: Declare it a crime against the country to stash away black money in foreign lands,and bring back the Rs 400 lakh crore he says is lying in foreign banks and declare it national wealth. Ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption,pending since 2005. Recall and stop printing of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes all immoral works involve large notes. Ensure that the Lokpal Bill leads to an effective body against corruption by providing for recovery of money in corruption cases and the death penlaty for those convicted. And finally,repeal outdated laws British rule should end including the Land Acquisition Act. Only the fear or death or Maut ka khauf could be a deterrent to corruption,Ramdev said,adding that there was no dichotomy between his call for a peaceful protest and the death penalty. Kindness and justice are both essential for effective governance,he reasoned. He claimed others in the Lokpal Bill committee are in agreement with him regarding the death penalty. Questioned about the Bhushans,he said he had not invited them to participate in the fresh agitation,but refused to be drawn into controversy. I appreciate the work they are doing on the Lokpal Bill committee, he said,adding that his focus is on setting right systems and that this would not be a people-centric agitation in any way. Bringing back the black money is a key focus area,he said,because 120 crore Indians have a right to that money. Bringing back the black money would give Indias economic growth a boost,he said,adding,There will be a day when a rupee is worth 50 dollars.
