MHA gives Z-category security to Baba Ramdev, removes it for Congress leaders

New Delhi: Yoga exponent Ramdev has been provided with Z-category security by the central government taking into account his “vulnerability to attacks from his opponents”. [caption id=“attachment_1807047” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Baba Ramdev was given Z-category security by the Centre. AFP[/caption] The decision has been taken by the Home Ministry after receiving inputs from security agencies which pointed to an increased perception of threat to Ramdev, official sources said. So far, Ramdev was entitled to Z-category security only within the jurisdiction of Uttarakhand as per a decision of the state government. Moreover, the Centre has decided to remove Z security cover for Congress leaders and former UPA ministers like Sachin Pilot, Beni Prasad Verma and Jitin Prasada. Reports also said that as a result of Z-category security, Ramdev would get the security of 22 armed guards and an escort car. On 4 November, Baba Ramdev had called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi, an official statement said. While the exact nature of the meeting was not known, Ramdev told reporters outside the Prime Minister’s House that they discussed “issues of national importance”. Ramdev has always been an ardent supporter of the BJP and the party even acknowledged the importance of the role played by his countrywide campaign launched ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Thanking the yoga guru for his sustained campaign which “contributed significantly to the formation of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre”, BJP President Amit Shah had earlier said that all his future endeavours to save the Indian languages and literature and revive yoga and ayurveda, which had the capacity to create a disease free universe, would get all support from the government. Shah had also said that the entire country was witness to the yoga guru’s fight against corruption which also led to those in power at that time to register cases against him. “He (Ramdev) rose to fight against corruption and threats to democratic values in the country,” he had said. (With inputs from PTI and IANS)