Ramdev’s Yoga class rescheduled due to security reasons; Maoists dismiss reports of ‘threat’

The much-awaited Yoga class by India's famous Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev was suspended at the last minute Saturday morning after the administration requested the organisers to call if off due to security reasons.

The Yoga class, however, will resume from Sunday. A big make-shift camp has been erected in Tundikhel for the purpose.

Swami Ramdev, who arrived in Kathmandu on Friday, told Kantipur TV that they were forced to suspend it for a day upon request from administration.

"We were ready to start the Yoga session. But administration requested us not to go ahead. We also had meeting with Prime Minister and Home Minister in the morning. Home Minister told us that (security) situation will be ensured for Sunday and that he will himself be present during Sunday's opening session," said Ramdev.

Swami Ramdev said he was thinking of conducting an extra evening class to make up for Saturday's loss. Earlier, on Friday, upon arriving in Kathmandu, he said his mission was to promote healthy living.

Meanwhile, the CPN (Maoist) has refuted Indian media reports that there were security threats from Maoist cadres to the Yoga camp.

Issuing a press statement, Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara said Indian media reports that Ramdev’s programme was postponed due Maoist pressure were baseless and claimed that they reflected a conspiracy of reactionaries to defame his party and belittle Nepali people’s aspirations for republic and peace.

Saying that the Nepal government itself had asked the organisers to defer the opening of Yoga classes under various pretexts, the Maoist spokesperson urged the participants not to believe the rumours created by the media. He made clear that Yoga trainees should get to participate in the camp without difficulties.

Indian TV channels including Aaj Tak had reported that the Yoga class was abruptly suspended owing to threat from the Maoists. nepalnews.com sd/mk Sep 22 07

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