Muzaffarpur/ Patna, June 4: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev got support in the most unique way from an Right to Information (RTI) activist who tried to immolate himself on the collectorate premises at Muzaffarpur in north Bihar, about 80km north of Patna, on Saturday.

The youth identified as Devbrat made an abortive attempt to immolate himself during an agitation launched in support of Ramdev's fast against corruption at the district collectorate around 4pm today.

Devbrata, 22, had been on a fast in support of Ramdev's demand but had to break it when he was admitted to the local sadar hospital by police officials after his condition deteriorated on June 1, sources said. As soon as Devbrat was discharged from the hospital on Saturday, he rushed to the district collectorate premises where the Bharat Swabhiman Trust activists were staging demonstration in support of the Yoga guru’s agitation.

Devbrat, a resident of Athur village under Bochahan police station in Muzaffarpur district, sprinkled kerosene on his body and tried to immolate himself in front of the Bharat Mata Naman Sthal Park.

The policemen deployed on the campus, however, intervened and foiled his attempt. “The policemen prevented the youth from self-immolation and took him into custody,” said Muzaffarpur city superintendent of police Upendra Prasad.

Prasad, who is also currently holding additional charge of the SSP told The Telegraph from Muzaffarpur on the phone that the youth has been kept at a secluded place as a precautionary measure. “The youth attempted immolation just to get publicity in the media,” he said.

He said that he had made similar attempts a few days ago. “He will be sent again for medical check-up,” the City SP added.

The fast by Baba Ramdev has stirred up a lot of interest among people of all sections across the country.

More than 100 social, religious and spiritual organisations joined a dharna organised by Bharat Swabhiman and Patanjali Yog Samiti in the state capital. Teachers, social activists, students and people from different sections of society expressed solidarity with Ramdev’s indefinite fast which the latter described as “a satyagraha against corruption and black money”.

Children along with others performed havans at Kargil Chowk. Pankaj Kumar Pandit, the organising secretary of the dharna, said: “The peaceful protest and havans will not be stopped as long as Ramdev’s “satyagraha” will continue in Delhi against corruption and bringing back black money stashed away in foreign banks. What Baba is doing today will be followed by the rest of the country tomorrow and he will surely change the present administrative system which is corrupt from top to bottom.”

Pratayakash Kumar, a 10-year-old boy who dressed up himself as Ramdev, said: “Bhrastachar mitane ki liye or paisa wapas lane ke liye hum yeh kar rahe hain (to eliminate corruption and to bring back money we are doing this).”

It was obvious that the child was not be aware of the whole issue but was still a part of the agitation in scorching heat when the mercury was touching 40°C.

Organisations like Hum Hindustani, Bihar Silai Bunai Mazdoor Sangh, India against Corruption, Lok Adhar, Gayatri Parivar and many other organisations performed havans and sang bhajans to express their unity on the issue.

Ashish Kumar, the president of Patanjali Yoga Samiti, said: “We are doing this to extend all possible support to Baba Ramdev. No matter what happens but for the first time, the country has woken up for one cause. The issue of corruption prevails at every level and there is an urgent need of strict and punitive measures to curb this evil practice in our society. The campaign vehicles have been flagged off from various destinations to mobilise people’s support over here. We will not end our dharna unless the demand of Baba Ramdev is heard properly.”

He added: “At present, thousands of Baba’s supporters have already joined us and many more will soon gather here and support us.”

But there are some sections of people who are not supporting Ramdev’s stand, like Shah Rukh Khan who said the “fast was politically motivated”. Earlier today, Digvijay Singh attacked Ramdev and said his whole campaign is supported by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He also called his fast a “five-star satyagraha”.

While slamming Ramdev’s fast, Digvijay said: “Ramdev travels by a private jet, stays in five-star hotels, is sitting on satyagraha in fancy tents with all modern facilities and has the money for such arrangements before going on fast”.