Beheading remark was in response to Owaisi’s statement: Ramdev

Yoga guru Ramdev said on Tuesday that he believes in non-violence and sought to play down his beheading remark, saying it was in response to comments made by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi.

“I believe in non-violence, coexistence and oneness of society. I take pride in my religion but that does not give me the right to insult other religions,” Ramdev said on the sidelines of a press conference in New Delhi.

Ramdev had stirred a controversy last month with his remarks that if not for the law, “we would have decapitated lakhs” for refusing to chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ (Hail Mother India)”.

The yoga guru said he had reacted to Owaisi’s statement where he had stated he “would not chant ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ even if someone put a knife to his throat.

“I responded in a rustic language,” Ramdev said, adding “No one needs to be scared of me.”

On the issue of bringing back black money to the country, Ramdev said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was looking into the matter.