Baba Ramdev's Dalit statement on Rahul Gandhi despicable: Chidambaram

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Saturday described yoga guru Baba Ramdev's controversial Dalit statement against Rahul Gandhi as despicable.

"I think that statement was despicable," he said.

He further said that it was equally despicable that the BJP was using Baba Ramdev as part of its campaign during the elections.

Chidambaram was speaking shortly after it was reported that a first information report ( FIR) had been filed against Baba Ramdev on Saturday for his comment that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi went to the houses of Dalits for a honeymoon and for picnics.

"He goes to Dalits houses for a honeymoon and for picnics. Had he married a Dalit girl, then his luck could have clicked and he would have become the Prime Minister," said Baba Ramdev at a programme on Friday.

He said unlike Rahul, Narendra Modi and Ramdev had not become "fakirs" (single) under compulsion.

"Us bechare ki bhi kismat kharab hai (Rahul is unlucky)", Ramdev said.

"His (Rahul's) mother says that if you marry a foreigner girl, then you cannot become the PM, and this boy does not want to marry an Indian girl. His mother wants that first he becomes PM, and then, marries a foreigner", he added.

Baba Ramdev later said he was willing to withdraw the comments if they have hurt Dalit sentiments.

He also rejected allegations by the Congress that his yoga camps are being used for political gain. He said that he had as much of a right as anyone else to air his views.