Yoga guru Ramdev slams conversions

Yoga guru Swami Ramdev has criticised religious conversion by inducement and said he would work to build a healthy and stronger India by taking the benefits of yoga and ayurveda to more than six lakh villages in two years.

Ramdev, who was in Rourkela to attend a six-day yoga camp that began on Tuesday, told media-persons that religious conversion in the name of providing service should be stopped in the country.

Condemning the killing of Lakshmananda Saraswati, the yoga guru called for restoration of peace and harmony and said reactionary religious practices lead to confrontation. No religion permits violence, he said.

Describing himself to be a 'patriot', he touched upon a host of political issues and spelt out his desire to float Bharat Swabhiman Manch which would work to bring a revolutionary change in the eroding individual and national character.

Referring to his mission for healthy nation, he said his Dibya Yoga Mandir Trust is working overtime to ensure availability of at least one yoga trainer in each village.

The Dibya Yoga Mandir Trust has received a donation of Rs 400 crore and plans afoot to set up a mega integrated university on yoga and ayurveda study, he claimed.