Ramdev's programmes banned in Lucknow, Congress demands arrest

“He has insulted the Dalit community...there are certain crimes which cannot be pardoned,” party leader Rashid Alvi told reporters in Delhi.

Congress spokesperson Neem Afzal said he should be arrested and cases should be slapped against him under the SC and ST Act.

In the backdrop of the controversy, the Election Commission has come out with fresh guidelines barring people from making “malicious” statements about the private life of individuals and said those violating the directive would not be allowed to hold programmes during polls.  The EC also cautioned people against invoking religion as it may create disharmony.

Congress had yesterday termed as “shameful and despicable” Ramdev's controversial remarks and had sought an unconditional apology from him as well as BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, alleging the yoga guru is part of his coterie.

The Left parties and BSP too had demanded legal action against Ramdev.