Go Baba!!!

Two major fasts in two months and it’s all in the news. First it was Anna Hazare for the formation of Jan Lokpal and now its Baba Ramdev’s turn. I was initially not too keen in following this one. At times, I used to get a feeling that such activists will be born in exponential numbers in the days to come, and the effectiveness of such an action will go down. But the actions taken by the Govt. or the lack of it rather, has prompted me to keenly follow it.

I was reading the Editorial in the Indian Express today where the editor had cautioned the activists viz. Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev against two things. Firstly, the Govt is trying to seek more time, by asking opinion of State Chief Ministers and political parties on the Lok Pal draft. By doing so, it has bought itself more time, and in this time, it expects or rather hopes that the unity of the Civil Activists collapses. Secondly, the kind of attention that Baba Ramdev has received, the kind of VIP welcome at the airport, the meeting in a 5 Star hotel, they have made Baba a celebrity today and the same people will question him tomorrow.

Hardly had I finished reading the piece of article and I saw it happening live on TV. The Govt has also appointed the best possible person for the negotiations. Kapil Sibal, a noted advocate, knows very well how to turn things on its head. That’s exactly what we saw today. On the basis of one written note from one of Baba’s assistants, he has managed to gain an upper hand in this duel. Shrewd that he is, he has got an avenue to divert the focus from the main issue under consideration. Added to that, the question from various leaders from the Ruling political party, as to where is Baba funding his fast and how is he doing so? And added allegations that the fast is sponsored by the Opposition Party and its sister organizations and that Baba is their agent.

I fail to understand, how does that even matter. What has Baba’s funding got to do with his demands and the kind of mass support that he has generated? How does it even matter, who is supporting Baba and who is Baba representing? What is the Govt. planning to do to get the black money stashed in foreign banks? What is the Govt. doing to meet the demands set forward by the activists? Instead of answering these important questions, the Govt. has cleverly managed to divert the attention elsewhere. And rightly as the editor had expressed concerns over the Govt. attempting to break the unity of the Civil activists, the first signs are already visible. Anna Hazare, who till yesterday was openly supporting Baba, and had also warned Baba about the shrewd goons in the Govt, has today chosen to remain silent. By adding the VHP and RSS angle to Baba’s supporters, they have practically made sure that Anna doesn’t openly support Baba as he doesn’t want to be associated with the RSS or VHP. Other Civil representatives have given conflicting statements on the matter.

If not for anything, I would want to see how the events unfold in the coming days. If not for anything, support Baba Ramdev and teach those goons in the Govt. a lesson for their life. Let us be united in our fights. Go Baba!! These politicians are way too clever. Do not let them succeed in foiling your attempts. The country is with you J