India: Yoga guru Swami Ramdev held over protests at corruption

Indian yoga guru Swami Ramdev was arrested after holding protests (AP)

An anti-corruption campaign by a controversial guru who believes yoga can cure Aids created drama and chaos yesterday after police arrested the holy man and thousands of his supporters.

Swami Ramdev was led away by police as his supporters blew conch shells and yelled chants after he tried to lead them to the Indian parliament in the centre of Delhi. He and many of his supporters were subsequently released and last night they had gathered in a sports stadium.

The arrests are the latest in a series of confrontations between the Indian government and activists demanding greater action against corruption. Another activist, Anna Hazare, recently called off a hunger strike designed to pressure the government to establish an anti-corruption ombudsman.