Ramdev can save himself but what about the common man, asks Hegde

Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde called the Delhi crackdown "a deliberate attempt by the central government to violate fundamental rights". He says it reminded him of the Emergency. Excerpts from an interview:How do you react to what happened at RamlilaMaidan?I consider it totally undemocratic. It was a peacefuldemonstration. They were not indulging in unlawful activity. In fact, peoplewere asleep then. Further, the Constitution grants fundamental right to peacefuldemonstration for or against any government. I'm against the manner in whichpolice were used to evict the crowd without any warning.But thegovernment defends the action saying Ramdev didn't withdraw his fast as promisedand that triggered it all...It's clear now. Somebody is accepting for the first time that there was an agreement between them before the demonstration. The arrangement was kept away from the public. I'm not defending anybody here but am speaking for the common man who was brutally evicted. Baba Ramdev can surely save himself. What about these people? Did they deserve all that? Can a state watch a protest turn into blackmail?Certainly not.But why did they first receive him like a head of state at the airport andnegotiate with him? Anything wrong can be corrected only going by the legalway.Government says it was also worried about the possibility ofterrorists mingling in the large congregation...Anything could havehappened is no basis to support brutality. There must have been someinformation. Why did they not react before? They could have withheld permissionfor it.Did BJP-RSS participation make a difference? Are youcomfortable seeing the fight against corruption influenced by politicalparticipation?What's wrong with anybody participating? Is it illegal? I'mnot a supporter of any one of them. But I want to say that everybody has a rightto participate.QUOTEWhat's wrong with anybodyparticipating? Is it illegal? I'm not a supporter of anyone of them (politicalparties). But I want to say that everybody has a right toparticipate.__ Justice N Santosh Hegde | Lokayukta