In a joint communiqué from Texas, leaders of Indian American community from fifteen American cities urged Swami Ramdev to end his seven day fast.

Swami Ramdev started fasting on June 4 in New Delhi.  Nearly 100,000 people from all over India joined him at Ramlila ground while Indian Americans also did fast in his support in cities across North America. He along with thousands of followers was brutally attacked and tear gassed while sleeping on the night of June 4.  He continued his fast from his Yoga ashram in Haridwar.

According to media reports his condition has deteriorated on the seventh day of the fast and he was placed in intensive care unit in a hospital in Dehradun, Uttarakhand near Haridwar.

The communiqué, which was faxed to Swami Ramdev’s offices states:

“ Swami Ji, Indians and Indian Americans have been touched by your sacrifice.  Millions have answered your call and joined you in fasting against corruption in India.  The response of Indian government has been barbaric but Indian people have been awakened and they need your leadership to take this fight to its rightful conclusion.  Swami Ji, we need you, Indians need you, India needs you to end this menace of corruption that is destroying millions of lives and taking away future of a whole generation of Indians.  From actions of the government we understand that its promises to enact laws and enforce them were not genuine.  This fight will therefore be prolonged. 

We beg you to conserve your energy so you can give us strength and guidance to fight peacefully and protest truthfully for an end to corruption.

Swami Ji, you have inspired millions of children, men, women – old and young, to display immense courage and sacrifice.  They will need to be called again – in even greater numbers, till we have a final victory in banishing corruption from Indian public life.

Swami Ji, please accept the advice of your followers and doctors and end your fast.

In future we will fast and make the same sacrifice you are making for us.  Indian Americans from every state and city have joined you.

We hope you will hear our call to conserve your strength and energy so you can lead this mass movement to its conclusion. “

Released by Vijay Pallod (e-mail:vkpallod@gmail.com, Ph. No. 713-562-1920), Bharat Swabhiman Overseas’ Media Coordinator.