Re : TV debate -- How Brinda went wrong.

[Guest guest]

How Brinda went wrong Navin Upadhyay/New Delhi For the left, any saffron-clad swami is like a red rag to a bull. But when Ms Brinda Karat, high-flying CPI(M) politburo member, took on Swami Ramdev, it was not seen as another standoff between a Marxists and a Godman. CPM Politburo member Brinda Karat parades disgruntled employees of Ramdev's pharmacy to prove her point in Delhi on Saturday -

Pioneer After all, Baba Ramdev never mixed religion with preaching of Yoga and pranayam, and the takers of his Ayurveda medicines were not confined to any particular caste or creed. Unlike many modern gurus who went on TV channels to preach about religion and God, Baba Ramdev used the reach of the medium to rekindle popular interest in Yoga, particularly pranayam. The number of his followers swelled, his appeal cut across boundaries of caste and faith and high and mighties from different walks of life sought his help to overcome stress and ailments. Some of Baba Ramdev's prominent followers are

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, Uttaranchal Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia, former UP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, Congress leader Ahmad Patel, superstar Amitabh Bachchan and SP leader Amar Singh, among others. The list goes on and on. Ms Karat did not understand the nature of support Baba Ramdev enjoys among the Indian middle class either. For hundreds of thousands of people, who have got inspiration from his teaching, he is a much-awaited messiah, who has brought for them the blessing of peace and health. For many others who are battling with some incurable afflictions, he is

their last hope. An attack against Baba Ramdev was an attack against not only his followers, but against all those who to the belief that there is serious need to rediscover the treasure trove of India's lost tradition of healing and cure. The spontaneous protests that spilled over into the streets were only expected. If the controversy drags on, the CPI(M) could end up paying a heavy political price in north India. Baba Ramdev may be an apolitical swami, but not his followers. Someone like RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav, who shared the left's allergy against Godman, broke rank with the Communists and were quick to defend Baba Ramdev. After all, Baba Ramdev is a symbol of Yadav pride. Actually, not just the two Yadavs but also OBC stalwarts like Kalyan Singh swear by him. The powerful OBC lobby is aware that Baba Ramdev has a huge constituency, and they want to stand by him to reap a good political harvest. Not surprisingly, even the Congress leaders are openly backing the Baba while Ms Karat stands isolated within the Left. Baba Ramdev's charge that MNCs are behind Ms Karat's campaign, may or may not be true, but it has left the Communists red-faced. Here was someone effectively using their own ammunition against them. Ms Karat and Co may find it difficult to carry on their campaign against Baba Ramdev for too long lest they are ready to lose more ground in the caste-ridden emotive landscape of North Indian politics. But Ms Karat seemed determined to carry on her battle against

Ramdev. Talking to reporters on Saturday she said the charge of animal and human remains in the medicines is based on what employees at the pharmacy have said. "The statement has come from employees at the pharmacy. Those who work at the basic level, those who have transported bones and ground them. I believe their statement," said Ms Karat. Ms Karat also took pains to clarify that the Left has nothing against Ayurveda per se. "The Left is not against Ayurveda. In fact, it is with our support that Ayurvedic establishments in Kerala are thriving. We have never said anything against Ayurveda or homeopathy. All this talk is misleading," she said. Even though Ms Karat is trying to look undaunted, there are clear indications that even among the CPI(M) the support for her on this issue is limited. Perhaps, the crisis will teach the Marxists a lesson or two about the essence of Indian ethos, that surpasses appeal of caste and religion, and which looks fondly at ancient India and its traditions "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo.

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