It was not that long back that Baba Ramdev, a Yadav from Haryana, was just a superior yoga instructor with a mass following, a people's Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whose clientele was at the upper end of the social spectrum.
Today, Baba Ramdev heads a yoga and health empire, worth hundreds of crores, with even an island off the coast of Scotland, gifted to him by grateful devotees, to run a yoga ashram and a spa. He swishes around in chartered private planes — and, significantly, has a team of advisers with impressive credentials.
First, there is Acharya Balakrishna, who is credited with marketing his yogic skills and creating an empire — government sources allege that the Acharya is the proud possessor of three passports. Then there is the Lok Ayukta of Punjab and Haryana, Justice Pritam Pal, who has shared the stage with him and who, along with journalist Devinder Sharma – an anti-GM proponent of organic agriculture -- were with him, when he met the four Cabinet Ministers at the airport earlier this week.
Then there is former Intelligence Bureau chief Ajit Doval and veteran journalist Ved Prakash Vaidik, who has close connections with the RSS family. Then there is S Gurumurthy, a chartered accountant by training and RSS person by ideology, who was once a close aide of the newspaper magnate, the late Ramnath Goenka. And the “remote control” is with K.Govindacharya, who in the late 1980s and early 1990s was a key BJP functionary and senior ideologue of the party, and played a critical behind the scenes role in the formation of the V.P. Singh government in 1989. Of late, he has been in close touch with his old mentor, L.K. Advani, and it is Mr. Govindacharya's Bharat Swabhiman Trust along with the RSS that has played a major role in mobilising people for his camp.
Keywords: Baba Ramdev, Baba Ramdev fast, Baba Ramdev arrest
It is a shame that the people of India have forgotten the values and the respects to the spiritual gurus and sagas of the country. And today the country have fallen so badly that now the gurus and babas have to leave their ashrams and duties to clean pollutes of the country which the government is actually suppose to do for the country. so stop complaining about baba ramdev and start working. "what are you waiting for, go, pick up the broom."
In time of crisis, people start showing their true faces. So whether Baba Ramdev succeeds in bringing black money or not, he has definitely succeeded in taking off the masks from many so that people can see their true faces. Reading articles,even the headlines, the tone, the distortion and suppression of information in many media outlets, comments of 'celebrities' On this Movement must have been revelation to many.
In dictatorship, Powerful use 'Fear' to keep majority powerless. In democracy, since they can't openly scare people, they use 'Illusions, Diversions' to keep majority powerless. And this 'Illusions, Diversions' are achieved using Media. Now you know why media is called 4th pillar!
After every Revolution, Even the Rulers learn from it. After French Revolution, they have learned quite well the power newspapers can have. Thats why, first thing today's rulers do is Completely control Media. Have your own people in media. So Media is supposed to pursue small issues seriously thereby creating a credibility in the minds of people and then keep Real Powerful people safe by all sorts of information play.
Its very sad too see that our media is alwyas with party who is in power. They show only those this which favor the current ruling party. The media has lost its responsibilty, they are bussy in showing the what are the shortcome in Baba, they dont dare to show that waht the meaning of the movement. The reason behind this can be only two. 1. They are taking money form Congress to spread their propganda let fool the public and deviate the attention form the corruption ant the govt continue with the corruption. 2. They are being run by congress party.
BJP and RSS with the short term view of UP election want to see how much they can 'ride' on the BABA for their gains. We need a parallel movement along with Anna's correction, to free India from the Cult groups.
Instead of Ramdev declaring his assets , let him declare the name of his clientele and their contribution . Then we know how serious he really is on black money. If his donors have really accounted their donation ?? And he has such a huge wealth ( rather his trust) does he still claim income tax exemption. If so his true color of really fighting for the masses is exposed rather he is utilized by the other political party to destabilize the elected government. When Advani started this black money campaign not much progress was made. Not much interest among the mass. So they might have used Ramdev as a stage actor to create ripple . Its sheer Political Marketism. Our tendency to point finger at others are well utilized by these sudden heroes.
for some, it is all a drama. the baba has been fasting since 4th, but the ndtv journalists are busy trying to help the government focus the spotlight and public attention on what ramdev baba built over the several years, and from where so much white money can come. This entire nation of ours is now ridden with black money and a bankrupt culture. how can we side with ramdevbaba when we live in this culture nurtured and sustained by criminals, blackmarketeers, and stockmarket speculators? But there is still some hope. we still believe in god and miracles. so let us hope that lord Krishna will come, and he will unleash his sudarshan chakra, and when the scoundrels will be thrashed in full public view, then the watching millions cowards will pick enough courage. till then, nothing has changed for the cowards.
If Media has any transperency - cover 'behind the scenes' which Congress playing with Baba Ramdev and report them. I donot think any of us should have objections based on association of a person to a party or caste or religion - as long as its genuine demand to end the corruption practice. I do not think the protest has to be non-political as long as its headon for the anti-corruption and no one is trying take a political milage. BTW - all political parties are on to the same bandwagon - its just that the order of sequence is going to be different.
All Baba Ji wants is a firm and timely committment by the govt. to eradicate corruption and bring money back to India stashed in foreign banks. What is wrong with that. Don't collude the objectivity of his campaign by throwing dirt at Him. Don't deny that an average Indian is not suffering from the corruption and its reprercussions. Corruption will be stopped. If BJP and RSS behind this campaign; no one is stopping others to join in this noble cause. Further, Shri Balkrishan Ji may belong to any nation, he is an asset to India and the world. Ever since the govt. has started hasseling him. my respect for hom has grown million times.
I still can't understand that why in India even muderers and rapers are getting support from people/political parties? People in India should support any agitation against corruption and give befiting reply/ answer to the most corrupt politician/ministers at the time of election.The way congress party is fighting in favour of corruption we should take it as guaranted that the money in swiss banks are from these corrupt congress ministers and Gandhi's/Nehru family.The most unfortunate thing is that these ministers are shameless and behaving like an idiot king/dictators. People of India should support any leaders who are honest and fighting against corruption irrespective of caste,religion and party or be ready to see jungle rule in the country in very near future.Hope good sense will prevail amongst Indian Citizens.
From the coverage of the Ramdev episode which is being covered by every news channel, I could make out that 2 of them are totally out to kill the movement of Baba against corruption and black money. I have been reading The Hindu for past 7 years. And i considered it a partial newspaper. But i am completely disenchanted with this news item. I never thought that HINDU will sell itself like this. Rather than helping a person who is exposing the corruption and black money issue and helping the country, you are out to destroy him ! Cant you see that the assets that Ramdev has are not even 10% of what any Congress MP or even MLA has. You are able to say all this because Ramdev has declared his assets. The Congress MLA of my area has assets more than Rs. 10000 crores. But since he is an MLA, and since he belongs to Congress, no media house will say anything. This shows your double standards. Look at the cause. A person who has built up a 1100 crore rupee empire from donations, does not need to travel to every village of India and speak against corruption. He doesn't need to mobilise people while travelling in the sun. He can enjoy his wealth and leave the nation to its fate. But if he is exerting so much, thats bcoz he loves the nation and wants to improve the conditions of the common man. So rather than helping that person win his motive of getting our black money back, and stopping all corruption, you want to choke him up. Ramdev has said that all those who want to join his struggle and improve India are welcome. So RSS has joined. Whats wrong in that? He is open to all Muslim/Christian associations as well. He has support of all religions. Congress wants to stamp him as communal but has not succeeded so far. So stop playing in the hands of a party whose leaders hold the maximum no. of SWISS BANK A/Cs. There can be no reconciliation of the actions of this barbaric Congress govt. on innocent citizens sleeping.
A sad piece by an esteemed newspaper. Just tell me: Wasn't the objective of the whole article just to malign Ramdev and his movement and wittingly or otherwise, lend credence to the "secular" Congress theory that all this is being orchestrated by "communal" forces?
Well done India, the next superpower? May be, may be you should have learnt from an ordinary country like Egypt how to respect demonstrators. But, then, Egypt is not democratic like India. And, the biased reporting by the media, in favor of the government, is a true example of what India is. A future superpower of-course?
All the common people is interested in knowing how to fight corruption -The country need to progress and despite of so much available labor and mechanism we are still not able to provide basic clean environment for our society . It is shame that when we are trying to fight corruption the media is trying to get the facts which are to make people believe that Ramdev is a fraud or puppet ..it would be nice if you would had publish the facts about the corruption -step by step and the name of people involve in it.
I totally agree with amit that the news article holds no value and simply trying to link with RSS. I do understand why we dont see articles about the money of Rajiv Gandhi in swiss banks and what happened to that money... just google it on web and you have all the proofs.
At least try to save india by participating with baba ramdev. otherwise one day they will divide india into a number of states as they did with russia. Try to identify 'a very slow movment' against our MOTHERLAND INDIA to ruin us. I suggest such a great news paper to please be impartial on the topic and just dont sell yourself.
The People of India does not care what Bava Ramdev is and whether RSS is behind him or not at this point of time. The People of India have to deal with a greater problem in this country and that is corruption. We know Congress is trying hard to shift focus from corruption to other issues and divide people by giving the movement a communal color. What is wrong if RSS is sponsoring the strike? Is 'Satyagraha' the monopoly of Congress? Do they think the right to strike belongs only to Congress? Why Congress is not publishing the list of people who stashed black money? Is that because Rajiv Gandhi's name is on the list (Source : Ramjethmalani - Economic times). So these are all the issues. So my request to Smitha Gupta is not to support the movement if she do not like the movement but please do not try to kill the movement because of some petty issues. I said this much, assuming that you are a neutral writer. If you are a spokesperson of Congress then i have nothing to say but i am sympathetic.
How much money have congress paid for the news article? It is not expected from such a great newpaper. At least you should have supported the cause which ramdev have started. A disenchanted reader.
1. I support the issue what Ramdev has raised. In fact this issue was raised by Shri Lalkrishna Advani and I support this issue that the black money shpuld be brought back to the country and the guilty should be treated as traitors and be punished. 2. The Lokpal Bill should also address the issue of black money made by these Babas which they call the donations given by the people. These donations are also possibly black money and should also be treated as National assets and should be spent on the welfare of the people.
Even if there was a political motive behind the fast the government could have easily silenced it by making public the list of black money hoarders. Even the Supreme Court has asked the government why it cannot release the list. That the government is not willing to do it is proof that many of its own members are on the list.
So what if this was a movement backed by the RSS?So what if Sadhvi Ritambhara participated in it?If they are criminals,why not ban the former and arrest the later?They too are part of the Civil Society.
What is the necessity of mentioning his caste here? The writer forgot to mention whether the wealth is ill gotten or not. And what is wrong with RSS and other organizations supporting his movement. Just by merely supporting one can't conclude Baba belongs to RSS or VHP. This article is just to divert the attention of the readers from the actual subject matter.
The only reason Swami Ramdev's team has a solid foundation is because those high credentials educated people really want some good done in this country. They are not blinded by faith..these people consider Ramdev pujaniya for a reason - a person who live in no AC and sleep like a common man when infact he can live luxurious life says for itself. His multi-crore empire is build because of donations give to him by his devotees and the service he provides to the people of india that this govt or rather any govt has failed.
Since when is it that in a vibrant democracy peaceful protests are not allowed, no matter what the motivation? It is quite surprising that nobody is talking about corruption and bringing back the black money stashed abroad. I find that the govt has managed to distract the masses by staging this. Strangely many including the respected PM said we had 'no choice'. Really? Why is that so? How are we threatened by people like Ramdev Baba, when righly we all should be threatened by the people who are corrupt,irrespective of thier political affiliation.
In a land of one billion +, should the central govt. be at the mercy of few hundred people around a yogi and calling themselves civil society going on a fast and start framing tougher laws. Granted the issue of corruption is important. We Indians should pay more attention to international events in the middle east. It is not few hundred going on fast, but a few millions marching through the capital is required. But that will materialize if we have activists who can galvanize the masses and carry the struggle stretching in to days/ weeks. If then the central govt. wakes up to such a struggle and takes action, the tougher laws can crystallize and be proudly enshrined in to our constitiution and the Lokpall bill can be said to be the fruits of a civil soceity struggle.
No matter who supported Baba, the act which the Government did was shameless and must be condemned. I wanna know what if RSS supports baba? People who are involved with RSS, are they not human beings? Are they not the citizen of the country? What if they too feel the same on corruption and wanna support baba? What baba was asking, was it so bad? Government can't answer that and is not being able to answer. But it will be answered by the people. It must remember that people can make and break and it will be broken this time..
It's disgusting to note that sepratist elements like Geelani can spew venom right in the heart of Delhi and this government looks on as a meek spectator.On the other hand,it shows its manliness by orchestrating terror on hungry,non violent masses led by a crusader against corruption. As far as the RSS angle is concerned,it seems that that some people, who are the self styled 'Thekedaars' of Indian polity seem to think that anybody having an affinity with RSS is a pariah and has no fundamental right in this country.Mind you,Corruption has no religion,Everybody communal is not corrupt....and everybody secular is not a Saint.
When the agreement has been made between Ramdev and the government, he should have declared that he is ending his fast and this midnight swoop would not have happened. since he wanted time to declare his decision, it fully means that it is politically motivated. I think the police came to this decision since there were thousands of people assembled and if it had tried to do the same in the morning, it would have led to more casualties?? also Ramdev's advisor's should have informed him that it can lead to this and he has to face consequences. I pray to god for those who were critically injured for speedy recovery. Of course the government has to bear the medical cost incurred.
The core issue is the inability of congress govt to curb corruption. Look at cases of Hasan Ali, Telgi, Common Wealth, 2G...the list goes on. Not a pie has been recovered. If you have an ineffective government and a lousy opposition any Baba that stands up for the people is going to get support. Like it or not that is a fact. The democratic institutions have been crippled by politicians not babas.
It is not a question of who is joining Baba Ramdev in his mission; what is important is his endeavor for social change. The issues he has raised are fundamental to Indian society. Corruption has plagued our society. We must have moral courage to accept the reality and stand against the menace affected our nation. Baba Ramdev or Anna Hazare anyone spearheading this movement for change; we must appreciate their efforts. We should have serenity to appreciate the just and holy cause for what Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare are fighting for.
I am not supporter of any person. I just support the cause. Once you start supporting someone you will support anything he does. Like the congress people. They are supporting even the tear gas fire on sleeping people at mid-night. How cheap? I know Baba may be wrong but what was the people's fault?
It is paining and sometimes annoying to see the electronic media giving so much attention to this political gimmick and trying to make a genuine protest of it. This very same nation still sees people being killed, women being assaulted and discriminated in the name of caste and other inequalities, rural-urban divide, urban poverty, rural underdevelopment. But these never achieve to become news in the so called 24x7 news channels. Very few newspapers like 'The Hindu' care to give space for these unfortunate aspects of our nation. Rather being the fourth pillar of democracy the electronic media are increasingly becoming the travesty of fairness.
Let's for once forget Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev and his followers but just consider the issues they raised. Corruption, Black Money stashed abroad and the accountability of the people in power to deal with these issues. When countries like Germany and US have been successful in dealing with the banks of Swiss why can't the Indians even make an earnest attempt? The fact of the matter is lack of the political will. That coupled with the scores of scams speaks for iteself. As for the Baba's movement, I believe he should have been much better advised than playing into the hands of the Congress (When the permission for the camp was given for 5000 why entertain 10 times or more however peacepul the purpose is - this could easily create a law and order situation). Why share platform with right wings when this could have been purely issue based protest for which any outside support would be a welcome. In as much as I revere Baba, i believe he has been led offtrack with groups attempting to capitalize on the Anna Hazare and Baba's movements. God bless India, hope they can shun this Nehru dynasity into oblivion, a dynasity replete with tsunami of corruption (with high tides of corruption there are smaller waves of corruption too - and the opposition act accordingly to compete) and give way to the issue based tsunami of Anna Hazare's and Baba Ramdev's (rise of goodwill, accountability and honesty).
Political force is created by masses out of desperation. Ramdev is an emerging creation of India's lower middle class to fight against corruption. The virus of corruption may not affect the upper middle class, the English newspaper reading elites, but the virus is penetrating deep into the poor. They want to fight back with a vengeance. Hence the emergence of Ramdev. It will be very difficult for city folk to understand the pulse of the movement. It is kind of a war between India and Bharat now, and it is going to be a long war of instability until one of the forces win over the other.
Guys and gals, Just accept you neither have guts, nor wits to get the black money back to India either now or in near future. Why the hell you comment on Baba Ramdev? Perhaps he is doing what the mighty supreme court could not even do!
Just think that how week you are? epsecially the press which runs for special shield lest one attack them just like the police attacked Baba Ramdev fast!
Shame on you guys!
It is sad to see that even when people are trying to bring about a positive change in the society they face opposition from the very people they are working for. It is important that we dont forget about the cause these people are working for. I would have blindly believed the above news if I was unaware that all the media in India has heavy political influence.
Hello,
My thought about this is even he may be a wrong person to act on corruption but the core of the problem should be addressed. The black money deposited out side India should bring back and the culprits should be punished. The political system in our country is failed to do this. That is the only problem. This type of non-political gathering is going to happen now onwards against political system which may or may not include existing political parties. We must need a change in our system. That is for sure. The corrupted politicians and officials should be punished otherwise there is will be rise of naxalites and terrorists. We have reached almost the peak of these issues. Which includes the telecom scams and there are multiple in our past including weapon scams,etc.
Lets gather for a better India regardless of political non-political parties.
It is really unfortunate to see such reactions and observation about a man who has tried his bit (given his hold on Indian populace) to do some good, at least so far as the black money is concerned. It is not understandable as to why are we in a hurry to asses his financial and political ambitions NOW , then ever before. If it is because of his recent endeavors in Ram Lila Maidan, then it not justified. The observations may have some share of truth but we must never question the fact that he is able to mobilize public opinion, whom our government did care to listen to. Although, some of his demands doesn't seem to be realistic,there is every justification for him to sue the government on corruption and black money. Let us not forget that in Indias democratic set up, the Government only listen to people who have power (not to ordinary citizens)and he has used this power of his for a cause, whoever be the dark horse behind this episode.
Political untouchability is as obnoxious as social untouchabilty in a democracy. While the Congress has no objection to politically ally with the Muslim league, a party representing people of a particular relegion, the Congress hates the RSS, representing the Hindu interests like the plague. General allegations against the RSS have never been proved and the Congress, with the support of large sections of English media, wants to keep RSS as a political outcast for ever. Maybe the way RSS gave countrywide support to the opposition which laid Indira Gandhi low in the elections that followed the liftig of the emergency has made it a permanent enemy of the Congress. The Congress is really scared of the organising ability of the RSS and the committment of its cadre and therefore wants to keep it at bay. This is the truth and truth has no value in India's political world.
I am only an ordinary observer. I am not speaking about the rightness of Baba abd his followers and the political forces behind his movement. Country is facing one of the biggest scams. It is a known fact Corruption is there in all levels of administration including Judiciary.All political parties are to be blamed. The Supreme court atlast acted on some of the cases which were brought to their level. After seeing the inaction of the Government due to political interventions they began to act a little tough on the investigations.Atleast people began to know the seriousness of the scams. It is a known fact ther is a whole scale Tax evasions, money laundering and parking the illegal earnings out side the country. Governments failed to take remedial measures.Since almost all political parties and their leaders and well wishers are the real beneficiaries they were reluctant to take any positive measures to curb these.Naturally when people like Anna Hazare and others who still have certain values started the campaign against these problems of the Nation, the citizens gathered with them to express the dipleasure of the attitude of Political leaders and their inactions.Baba thought he should also join the campaign.Atlast the government agreed to form a committe to draft Lokpal Bill.The Government if they are serious about the Bill should have included atleast major opposition parties in the drafting committe. Added to that they nominated from Government side some Senior Ministers who think they are smart and legal brains and their main objective from the beginning to outsmart the representatives of Anna Hazare. They are not keen to Draft a Bill taking all the views and problems. Now it looks as though that they are playing for time and slowly they want to use Undemocratic method to creat an atmosphere of fear in the minds of Campaigners and direct the attention to fight Communalism in the name of preservation secularism and Constitution.God Help India
Spending Rs 20 crores or more to conduct a 'fast' to end corruption! What a farce!!! What is the source of this money and who are the financiers? That must be investigated first.
What is surprising is that people in thousands are gathering there.
But the government, by inept handling of the situation, is helping to make a hero out of the villain. The role of the sensation-mongering media in the affair is extremely deplorable.
Our petticoat p.m deserves quodos. Atlast he could drive away unarmed old ladies and children firing watercannon,teargas shell and bullets(rubber). from ramlila maidan that to at midnight. So what he may be helpless in mumbay massacre,parliament attack and so on. he is an honest man he is helpless what can he do if peple under him like (list is too long).
It may be a drama. The black money is a big drama being played by congress. The only option for people is go with organizations that support anti-corruption movements. Ramdev is on an anti-corruption issue right now, U have every right to comment him when he is trying to change his color. But right now he seems to be alright
I will take 10 minutes off my work to write this comment. I read a quotation nearly 10yrs ago but it has always been in my mind since. Good people think and discuss the ideas. Average people think and discuss the events. Mean people think and discuss other people. (This article seems to fall in this category) I would like to think about the whole incident as unfortunate and a person with some good (may be) naive ideas was crushed. I do not have more time to write . I have to work also.
Well, even if it was backed by RSS or BJP what is bad in that. If just by association with few organization one looses the sanctity of the cause, then no one should, ever, be associated with any party or organization. Some people offer extreme version of association and that too is terrorism in its kind.
It is possible that different parties offer support to Ramdev's movement against black money, some even within Congress may be thinking that it is a good idea to bring down some of their political opponents ! On the other side many parties will officially say that black money is bad but their leaders also may have black money stashed abroad, as it is known that both India and Pakistan have persons with big deposits in Swiss banks. But Congress party cannot be the only reason of corruption in India, everybody in India also share the blame. Finally, about RSS, India is a sovereign country and RSS is a part of it so either live with it, or ban it, it is that simple. It looks artificial to complain of RSS every now and then. BJP is also one of the parties and seemingly well linked to Congress party, so it is very hard to make a clear cut distinction !
I am always vary of godMen and godWomen, who attempt to politicise their primary occupation. This is not just a moral hazard for the unsuspecting, populace guided by polemics and rhetoric and not by facts. Surely yogis of yesteryears never occupied a jet-set agenda, leave alone a five-star preoccupation with air-conditioners and the likes. Today we have Ramdev who occupies prime property as a second home in the pristine region of Scotland, has huge bank balance (not necessarily in his name!) and is a outright champion for removing corruption. Today an average Indian views a 'mantri' or a politician with 'khadi and topi' as criminals and losers and to this is added another illustrious band of judges, and godmen and godwomen who have amassed huge assets which will bring even the most prosperous nations to shame! Why because this is done at the expense of the illiterate and indeed literate masses on the Indian civil society. As a concerned Indian, we have a lot at stake. Let's demand all assets of these individuals be subject to scrutiny by the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax officials and Internal Revenue, be it the champions of LokPal Bill or indeed Godmen and Godwomen of this country, in various guises and colours.
Keeping aside debate whether its drama, the prime demand about declaring black money is in extreme good faith of our nation. Not supporting this move certainly means supporting corruption or has his involvement in such 'Kala dhan'. Many govt servants in my corporation today are scared asking bribe is this not enough though irrespective whatever is going is drama or marketing.
Even if he is created by RSS or BJP or any party, lets think about his motive. He is there for a cause which we all should support. The government can stop him at any point or take actions against him but at the same time the government is responsible to take actions in support for the three final demands(declaring black money as national asset, enacting a law to confiscate black money along with stringent punishment and surveillance on those visiting tax havens abroad) raised by Ramdev. The government should give proof of the actions taken in support of the three demands(actions doesnt mean organizing committees).
well if a common problem like corruption and black money is raised and people are mobilised by organisations like RSS, does the issue lose its gravity? Even if it does, what the government did in the midnight is outright condemnable. just imagine some police men barging in to our houses when all of us are asleep! i wonder what definition the government has for this type of democracy.
So, do all these factors sum upto that midnight drama? Democracy is really interesting concept. it cant even put up with a democractic show. If Ramdev's assets are so big and needs a verification, why the government is sleeping, why it hasnt checked his assets so far, and I dont understand why we should cry over an Yoga guru's assets, what is the matter if it sums up to thousands of crores. Atleast he is dare enough to declare all his assets, doesn't the author of this news know that there are other politicians who have much more tons of crores, why there was no such swift action or analysis on each of them. This author knows every thing about baba ramdev only because ramdev has declared his assets, what can you guys do if he shows them under few binamis. come on guys, let us not hinder what ever the movement that gets us better future, let us remind of frog's story, where a deaf frog came out of the well, paying no attention to discouraging words, and I am sure we have such a deaf frog, that is Anna. Govt is currently in a mission to taint any of the civil body members who are for lokpal, so that they can protect interests of its party funders. sounds sour but it seems to be the fact.
So what? Even the president of the largest and oldest party is sorounded by her keepers. It is good thing that Baba Ramdev is being backed and advised by such a group of eminent personalities. The way Baba Ramdev conducted the international yoga conference sometime back, the research that is being done at Patanjali yogpeeth on ayurveda and yoga is to be commended. I really dont know the reason for this piece of information to adorn the pages of your esteemed paper.
What is this article? If these people have been associates of Baba Ramdev, what is the editor trying to say? Does this article seek to propogate Baba-is-RSS theory? Very mischievous. Not expected from The Hindu. Partial, limited, biased perspective --- narrow-minded.
The details you have given in your article deserve mention when it matters taxes to be payed are pending charges of sedition and mutiny are framed with tangible or intangible proof at least. For time being let us consider why you and me are not made and WHY at all RAMDEV is made as guru and a person rich and capable of criscrossing the nation in charted planes. He is recognised by millions as a person worth to serve this country or a person capable to deliver the social good. Why Dr.Manmohan is made prime minister by Madam and Congress put together and why not you or DIGvijay singh or even Mr.Chidambaram? Because the honourable Madam and Congress felt that Dr Manmohan Singh could be more of esteem and honour capable of delivering the good as prime minister. I advise you to reason out reply so that not only me others of this sort of reasoning could be enlighted. Will you please?.
Ramdev is a courageous man, a man who reflects the mood of the nation, Go-ahead Ramdev, we are with you. The filthy rich and the crooks have to worry, not we or you.
Today, Baba Ramdev heads a yoga and health empire, worth hundreds of crores, with even an island off the coast of Scotland, gifted to him by grateful devotees, to run a yoga ashram and a spa. He swishes around in chartered private planes — and, significantly, has a team of advisers with impressive credentials. The above report shows the 5 star guru enjoying his life style and living in heaven. Since charity begins at home Ramdev should request or demand all his filthy rich followers to return their black money and then go after the other rich who is hiding their money in Swiss banks. So Sri Ramdev do your sathyagraha demanding your followers return the black money ?
Marketing BABA'S are always on the anvil in India... but the final question which rises in the mind of common man is what is this drama? What is behind the scenes? Unfortunately no one is exploring the stage and rather prefers to sit in the spectators and comment, "oh, what a great move that was".
It was clearly a movement clearly backed by RSS, VHP and BJP. There were definitely some hidden political motives in this fast drama. To be fair with the govt, it tried to reach to the baba and evolve an consensus on the issues at hand and perhaps there was an agreement too. But once the non-political color of the movement became clear, govt had no choice left but to crackdown. Irrespective of the issues, the culture of amassing thousands of people and dictating terms to the govt must be discouraged otherwise who will listen to the voiceless of this country?
Baba Ramdev is one such person who really can ignite the spark which can later be transformed into flames representing the tired and helpless voices of the general public who are vexed with the government's foul play and cheap tricks because of the simple reason of his potential to create a WHITE REVOLUTION through the money backup he has, which is purely white.The entire money (which of course if he wishes to)can be diverted to the strengthening of the movement without losing the momentum, at least uptill the next elections.All he got to do is make media his very important catalyst in the entire course.His peaceful intervened movement can represent the 'THE REVOLT OF 1857' which was first of all of the uproar by the Indians before independance.This time,extreme caution should be taken that no extremists are formed, and all moderates only play a pivotal role in taking the movement forward. Anna Hazare should continue with his struggle which is also essential for continuous pressure on the government,whilst simultaneously creating awareness among the general public by Baba Ramdev through his meetings.The government should realise that they are dealing with very lethal combination of WHITES.
It is a shame that the political parties have failed so miserably... and the people like Swami Ramdev and Gandhian Anna Hazare has to step in .. Rather than focusing on the failure of political parties, it is a shame that the people like you chose to remain silent ... why don't you sit on fast against corruption, if you have guts ...
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