'Freedom of speech doesn't apply to Ramdev?': Amit Shah defends yoga guru on 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' row

The row over the slogan ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, which was sparked off when Asaduddin Owaisi dramatically refused to say it, has escalated quite dramatically over the past couple of weeks. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday said he respects the law of the land and the Constitution, otherwise he would have “beheaded” lakhs of people for refusing to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. [caption id=“attachment_2701354” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file photo of Amit Shah. Reuters[/caption] Many, including Congerss and AAP, had slammed Ramdev over his comments, but now the yoga guru seems to have found support and that too from none other than BJP president Amit Shah. “Baba Ramdev is not a member of the BJP. However, I want to know from those who talk of free speech, does it not apply to Baba Ramdev?” Shah asked in an interview to a private TV channel, reports The Hindu. This statement came after Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu appeared to disapprove of the remarks made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ramdev on those refusing to chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and said they are views not authorised by the government through any order. Ramdev had earlier said at a Sadbhavna (compassion) rally, “Koi aadmi topi pehan kar ke khada ho jaata hai, bolta Bharat Mata ki Jai nahi bolunga, chahe meri gardan kaat do. Arey is desh mein kanoon hai, nahi toh teri ek ki kya, hum toh lakhon ki gardan kaat sakte hain. (Someone wearing a cap stands up and says that he won’t chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai even if someone kills him. There is a law in this country, otherwise I would’ve beheaded lakhs of people.)” With inputs from PTI