Whether corruption is eradicated or not, public gets relief or not, but many personalities have made it a political issue. Since every section of society is the victim of this evil, it gets people’s support. To get rid of corruption is the desire of everyone but this is exploited quite often. There are may persons who get their personal interests fulfilled under the pretext of eradication of corruption and to get back black money in the country.
As those who raised the slogan of poverty became rich and the poor remained helpless, in the same way, in the name of corruption, many movements have been started in the country. Corruption will not be eradicated by way of “fast unto death” and ‘Satyagraha’ unless the ruling class is serious about the implementation of the rules. As for as awareness of the people is concerned, many social reformers and leaders have made their efforts but this ailment increased with the cure.
It will not be incorrect to say that the society has accepted corruption as an evil or crime but as a necessity. A few days back Mr. Anna Hazare observed ‘fast unto death’ and on his demand, the Govt. constituted a committee consisting of ministers and the members of civil society so that the Lok pal bill drafted the task of preparation of Draft Lok Pal Bill is in the preparatory stage but Baba Ram Dev declared that he would observe ‘fast unto death’. Mr. Ramakrishna yadav of Haryana became a Sanyasi and assumed the titles of Swamy Ram Dev and Baba Ramdev immediately after he declared the ‘fast unto death’ Govt. came into action and sent five ministers to receive him at the airport as if he is a foreign dignitary. The ministers met him and later started negotiations with him, after may hours of discussions they failed to stop him from his programme of fasting. Baba Ramdev remained unchanged.
The question is what kind of danger did the Govt. feel upon his arrival in Delhi that a team of five ministers reached the airport to welcome him. It is the decision of incompetence of the Govt. that it was shaken only with the announcement of his fast. In this way Govt. paved way for his countrywide publicity and success before the commencement of the fast.
The tenure of office of UPA2 has proved to be a regime full of corruption’s and seams. Adars Society Scam in Mumbai, irregularities in Commonwealth games and then 2G spectrum scam of A. Raja have shaken the foundation of the Govt. Govt. had not been relived of the trouble of Suresh Kalmadi and Kanimozhi’s fail sentences, the resignation of a central minister Dayandhi Maran came to limelight. The telecom minister of the UPA1 regime is being blamed for extending undue advantage to foreign companies and the opposition is demanding the dismissal of the union Govt. On the other hand, the fronts of Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev have increased the difficulties of the Central Govt. The giant of corruption is chasing the UPA Govt.
Corruption, inspite of being a serious problem, did not form part of an election issue. It was proved in the recently held elections of the five states. If corruption had been the election issue, congress wouldn’t have returned to power in Assam and Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, people have repeated the tradition of changing the Govt. every five years. If corruption had and scams have damaged the DMK Govt, it was because of involvements of its ministers in the scams. Not only the image of the Govt. but the prestige of Dr. Manmohan Singh has also been shattered psychologists agree that one who opposes anything vehemently, involves in the same thing somehow or the other.
We don’t say that Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev are involved in corruption but it is a fact that they are facing the charges of corruptions. A case of irregularity against Anna Hazare is pending in court and on the other hand, the surprising revelations have come to light. It is said that the assets of the trust run by Baba Ramdev have increased upto his 1100 crore in the past six years.
In addition to that, lands were allotted to him in BJP ruled states. Baba Ramdev has to make the public aware of his assets, funds received and the sources of his income. Is his trust receiving funds through ‘Hawala’ system or any other source? Where is the guarantee that there is no black money involved in the funds he receiving? If everything is transparent and honest, why is then, the presentation of accounts being denied? The sudden emergence of Baba Ramdev during the preparatory stage of the Lok Pal Bill gives rise to may questions.
BJP has lost the confidence of the people and people are vexed up with Congress also. In such a situation, to whom is Baba Ramdev going to benefit? Some reviews opine that Baba Ramdev is a puppet in the hands of some parties and he is on the mission to create differences among the members of the civil society whereas others thank that BJP has floated him against UPA.
The way in which and by the support of the parties, Baba Ramdev has emerged abruptly on the scene, strengthens the second opinion that all this is being done at the instance of Sangh Parivar and BJP. BJP also tried to take advantage of Anna Hazare’s fast unto death and Baba Ramdev has painted the stage with religious colour. Anna Hazare fell into the trap of BJP while praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi but the members of the civil society saved him. After seeing the conditions in Gujarat, Anna Hazare targeted Modi Govt. with his criticism. The BJP and the Sangh Parivar have floated Baba Ramdev into the field. Not only this, BJP and RSS openly praised him. Who does not know RSS leader, Govindacharya who was every active in BJP till very recently.
When Rajdeep Sardesai questioned him on the CNN-IBN News Channel, he confessed that Sangh has ideological compatibility with Baba Ramdev and RSS cadre will participate in fast unto death programme in large numbers. What more proof is required to show that which are the forces behind Ramdev and what are the parties behind Ramdev and what are their ambitions? When filmstar Shahrukh Khan declared that Baba Ramdev’s fast is a political one, then Shiva Sena felt angry.
Anna Hazare had chosen Jantar Mantar whereas Ramdev has selected Ramleela ground so that there should be an affinity to Rama. He chose 4th June for starting the fast whereas Mrs. Indira Gandhi had promulgated Emergency on 5th June. Who are the brains behind the selection of the date. As far as the struggle against corruption is concerned, it is pertinent to know how much black money is being spent on Ramdev’s show. A day before the fast could start, hundreds of supporters of Ramdev reached Ramleela ground. A tent 2.5 lakh feet wide has been prepared wherein each state has been allotted a separate counter.
The entire area is painted with saffron colour. The complete area is flooded with multi-coloured posters and banners 5000 ceiling fans and coolers were installed 1300 bathrooms and toilets were constructed. According to information received an expenditure of Rs 18 crore was spent. Where has this money come from? And who has borne this expenditure? Is it not part of black money? Can Baba Ramdev claim that among his devotees no one is having black money but all of them have white money.
Black money is not a recent problem, why, then, didn’t Baba Ramdev think of getting back black money from foreign countries? Ramakrishna Yadav is perhaps forgetting that elections in this country are fought on the strength of black money in NDA regime and every party is involved in it.
In fact, in the name of black money, an attempt is being made to destabilize secular forces and it is an attack of saffron colour against the secular forces. He is the same Baba Ramdev who had opposed the reservations for Muslims in A.P. He had announced to establish Bharat Swabhiman organization in March 2010 but he drew with it later.
If Baba Ramdev has political interest, and if he is fond of testing his popularity in the country, he should try his luck on BJP’s ticket. Fast Unto Death is a political Aasan of yoga guru and he wants to make corruption and black money the agenda of the ensuing election. Can then, the Sanyasi or Swamy be permitted in the pretext of corruption and irregularities to continue his activities? Will every evil be concealed in Saffron colour? A poet of Urdu has rightly said that:
One who was criticizing my character.
I have put a mirror in front of him.
By: Rasheeduddin