New Delhi: Serious differences have reportedly cropped up between journalist Ved Prakash Vaidik and his longtime associate Baba Ramdev over the former’s controversial meeting with 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan. Sources said Baba Ramdev told his aides to dissociate themselves with Mr Vaidik as he had brought disrepute to the nation by meeting the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief.
It is learnt Mr Vaidik, too, has told his friends that he was not a disciple of Baba Ramdev. He is said to have told some associates Baba Ramdev was like his “son” and he used to visit his ashram to preach to his followers.
Sources said the relationship soured after a furore erupted within and outside Parliament by political parties over Mr Vaidik’s controversial meeting with Saeed.
This is not the only occasion when Mr Vaidik has been involved in a controversy. When former RSS chief Balasaheb Devras had died, he (Vaidik) had said then PM P.V. Narasimha Rao had expressed his condolences. The then PMO had immediately clarified it had not.
This time again, sensing trouble, Baba Ramdev is said to have been very upset over Mr Vaidik’s controversial meet. “That’s precisely why he distanced himself. Baba Ramdev is against anyone who has a soft stand against any terror group,” an aide said.
