style=”text-align:justify;”>Background:

Since last 4 or 5 years I recall when I really became interested in knowing Baba. Before that I never liked to hear him or see him for only reason that I was not interested in him or his teaching. But as gradually and increasingly the news in air kept coming to my ears, I started sitting before Astha (TV channel). I saw him speaking about yoga, health, Indian medical science and Ayurveda. I had heard that he has very good knowledge of all the science. You talk about vedas, snaskrit, anything Indian, he had good knowledge. For me after listening to him although I didn’t find him a very good orator like my previous imaginary idol (at least in terms of personality) Swami Vivekanand, but definitely, the information delivered by him was impressing. Although, that was not the enough force which could push me to involve myself into yoga and his philosophy, now and then I started watching his discourse on TV. Since I myself am interested in understanding the Indian science of spirituality, his talks were somehow informative for me. Later on as life moved on, time and circumstances forced me to do yoga on compulsory basis for few weeks (definitely not because of Baba), I realized that I was feeling more energetic and vibrant in my routine life than previously. Like, I started getting up early in the morning, and that gave me enough time to focus on my body which didn’t’ use to be so previously. My stomach started staying fit without the indedences of common ailments. I agree that these were although small but the changes were significant. Still, I don’t give credit to Baba Ramdeo because I know it is nothing new, all basic science of health and medicine and sports also say exercise is good to keep body healthy. But definitely, I will say Yoga included some of the exercises which targets on visceral organ rather than common physical exercises that are more for body muscles, bone and joints. This part of yoga influenced me and I started doing it regularly. Anyway, these were the very common aspects which still were not enough for me to be the follower of Baba or his disciple. By that time I started hearing about his Bharat Swabhiman, and national agenda like fight against corruption. The ideas were quite interesting although I was against some of the objectives of Bharat Swabhiman. The biggest thing which started influencing me was the fact that his selfless move. I, like many other common people started feeling a ray of hope towards solving the ever increasing menace of current Indian politics.

My personal ideas to ameliorate the struggling Indian democracy were lying in spreading education, controlling population and moral upliftment.  I knew, it could be done only through the government. Because I knew the life of people moves through available apertures made out of many congested circles of the system. As will be the system so will be the behavior of people. But if the government is not good, it is difficult to expect such changes? Many people said, use your power to vote. Each and every individual (major) must cast their vote. I remember someone said: “bad people are elected not by bad people but by those good people who don’t cast their vote”. I agree to some extent, but then the everlasting question is if all the candidates in electorate are not good, even casting my vote is not going to change the scenario. Under such windshield, then came the light of hope that in ballot there should be one option  that if I don’t’ consider any candidate worthy, I should have the option to cast my vote as “none is eligible”. This was a good idea but still immaterialized.

I my opinion, I think that to bring real change at national level, it is better to change the 545 people (Members of parliament) and around 4000-4500 people (Members of legislative assempbly) than to change 100 billion people. This change although seems to be the easiest but the most difficult practically. I think if this set of specified people is honest and duty-bound the whole nation will automatically be governed ideally.

Under such singular option of changes Baba Ramdeo’s initiatives brought some hope in my heavy heart. I understand that there is no dearth of committed, unselfish and duty-bound people in India. If Baba Ramdeo could bring such change in India that would be one of the most desired and most promising change in struggle towards improving India as nation.

Many people started playing blame game that Baba Ramdeo has political ambitions. If he is a yoga Guru he should be teacher only and he should not teach politics. But my question is if someone can guide you for your better life and for better governance, what is bad if that role is performed by Baba ramdeo? I definitely agree with Smriti Jain’s views as told on some news TV channel, that it is right of every individual of country to talk and to practice politics. I personally feel that Baba Ramdev is motivated by his personal experience of the country’s shattered situation and tattered integrity. That is why when a large section of suffering country requested him to try to bring some changes in Indian politics along with social changes. People requested him because people knew Baba has the guts and that magnetic personality, the unselfishness, the commitment which can motivate and attract people at large scale which is necessary to bring change in those specified number of people.  

Matter of fact

It is well known to every citizen of India that corruption is at its highest. The political will power is at its death. The whole system of Indian governance is bankrupt. The common people are facing ever increasing problems of a rough life, lack of basic civil amenities, threat of insecurity etc. Since all existing political parties are one or the other way same, the trust on any is diminishing. Government take it for granted that for five years they are in a permanent job and they should earn as much as should be more than sufficient for generations to come. The execution of task and their responsibilities becomes difficult for them because they are more obliged to people who supported them to come to politics (a money based game). If Baba Ramdeo is raising some issues and wants their solutions, it is not his personal demand. He is raising the voice and demands of common deprived people: the people who don’t get basic support and facilities for which he is electing the government.

Today if some people are against Baba’s move, I see they are only a small portion of society: the rich, elite, high class profile people who either don’t face everyday’s problem or perhaps are part of the corruption against which common people is asking question to government through Baba. I will quote the name of Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan (two celebrities from Bollywood) among many others who publicly cleared their views as published in Times of India (07/06/11) that they are against the move. They told he is yoga teacher and he should preach about yoga and not politics. My question is, what is their problem if a yoga guru is raising the national problem? It is clear that they are afraid of such movements. I will suggest at the same time to these media people also, have they taken the view of any common people? They will get the answer whether a yoga guru should preach about politics or not?

Government stays in power for five years unless there is rift in their own party. Otherwise there is no other way to evict them from power. That is why they take it for granted as lavish permanent job for five years. As in this case, the ruling party (congress) promises to make a committee and give solutions in six month or two years or so. In such promises, the objective is not to give the real solution rather defer the case to such a long period that by the time some concrete conclusion could be given, their tenure in govt. is complete and then the time of next election is on head. And how to win election they are champions in that part of game.

Digvijay Singh says Baba a thug. He may be. But what Digvijay Singh is. Can he answer? Baba has no property to his name, if anything is there that is given by trustee people and that is in the name of trust. What is the property of Digvijay Singh? Can he divulge? Or can he say he has been given money by people and if so why is it to his name? So people like Digvijay Singh or Sibbal or any politician, are into this business for earning money or more properly speaking for looting the nation’s money. They can challenge a person like Baba only when they dare to exhibit Baba’s degree of sacrifice, commitment, and renunciation. Simply raising doubt about Baba’s wealth or his integrity or even after proving it, will not absolve them of their deeds and intentions. If Baba is proved guilty it doesn’t mean they are not guilty. In spite of being in power, if they knew Baba has amassed inappropriate money, where were they? Why were they sleeping? Why didn’t they inspect Baba before fingers being raised against them? Retaliation may divert the angle of probe and attention of common people but they still stay culprit of not standing with their duties. In spite of being in power for so long they can hardly count one or two contribution which can be appreciated by common people.

All said and done, the question still hangs unanswered. Why do they not take the responsibility of corruption? And if they are not responsible in a position of not taking stringent action, why do they not resign saying it is beyond their ability and capability. If these politicians are saints and sages, (as in their view Baba is not) they should exhibit honesty and commitment to offer what people are asking for?

The big question is if government is not involved in this dhandha of black money, why is it so reluctant in making law against corruption and bringing the culprits on knee? On one hand government says they cannot make law so fast as it will take time. If matter is beyond your control and if you cannot execute your power, why don’t you quit the government? Why this ministry does not resign explaining its inability to act? Why are they so enchanted and fascinated for being in power? The whole episodes clearly show their looting attitude for staying in power.

I am not a follower of Baba. I am seeing the whole action and event from the eyes of a common people, as a poor citizen of India. I am asking to myself what I want and how can I get them? I find the solution is in Baba’s way. The complete change in governance; thorough overhauling… that is the last and final course. May be Anna and party are not willing to stand together, but the prudence says if there is real commitment change the corrupt system, get together and move together. Keep the desire away of being a lime light leader and work as if you are fighting it for yourself. Today, many religious groups may call Baba an outcast for wearing women’s attire. But that is not what something is required to change the nation’s face. A true yogi doesn’t live for title or recognition. So the religious groups should understand this fact. They must not forget that life is process. All must have to die. So never ever try to define the life in words of custom and costume. If God is there and for what you have made some religion to define that concept never forget that there cannot be one God for Christian, another for Hindu and another for Muslim and so…

A personal thought:

 Serving nation is a high idea that is over and above the individual’s self tending attitude. It is a service that cannot be performed with some personal interests. It wants selfless dedication to work for others.  A man’s intention of committing fraud is engrained in his greed. The greed most often comes from the illusion of kith and kin (maya). We have our family and then kids. We start accumulating wealth for their better future and for our generation. If it is only a personal life I don’t think many people will be so keen to accumulate money. So if there be made some laws that can ensure that only single person (unmarried without family) can come to politics, it will keep the governance much cleaner by default. Seeing the current scenario of many unmarried people in the society this doesn’t seem unrealistic.

Second is the education. If for all the jobs a formal degree is compulsory, then why not for politics? Is politics so easy a task that doesn’t require any formal education? On the name of democracy, saying that anyone can come to government is making fool out of the situation. It’s very simple to understand that 545 people all uneducated although elected democratically, cannot run the government. So a formal degree at least up to graduation in subjects like (sociology, geography, history, communication, psychology, Indian culture etc.) should be made compulsory to enter into politics.  It must not be forgotten that democracy is good governance only when its citizens are literate and educated. The king elected by fools will be killed in war…and hence the whole empire…