CPI-M for action against Ramdev under SC/ST Act

NEW DELHI: CPI(M) on Saturday demanded prosecution of yoga guru Ramdev under the SC/ST Act for his "uncivilised statements" against Dalit women and charged him with demeaning them.

It also asked the Election Commission to take suo motu notice of his "outrageous comments and take appropriate action".

In a statement, CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat said "In his references to Rahul Gandhi, Ramdev, a self-declared 'baba', has made uncivilised statements that demean and insult Dalit women."

Ramdev "should be prosecuted under SC/ST Act (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act). The Election Commission should also take suo motu notice of his outrageous comments and take appropriate action," Karat said.

Ramdev had on Friday alleged that Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi goes to the houses of Dalits for "honeymoon and picnic."

Karat had earlier too taken on Ramdev alleging that the ayurvedic medicines prepared by his company contained animal parts and human bones and that the Union Health Ministry had established that he had violated licensing and labelling provisions.