It is quite interesting that so many Jatlanders mock/ridicule/oppose Baba Ramdev for his "anti-corruption movement", while similar movement by Anna & co finds much more support. There is no difference of principle between the two. Even Anna & co are supporting Ramdev, atleast publicly, probably because they know he has much more mass support & funding than them. But there is not much condemnation on JL against what the govt. did at Ramlila grounds last night. In fact, there are comments on how Baba chickened away or was found out.
Then there are hypocrites who are ready to call anyone not supporting Anna's movement as cynics. But the same person(s) are ready to mock and ridicule Ramdev's "movement"!
How does anything justify this kind of police action on Ramdev and his supporters? He has a right to protest, irrespective of the fact whether he was fooling the government or whether he has a political agenda. You can't choose who you let protest and for what reason!
So what is it about Baba that makes him so much worse compared to Anna & co. Let me speculate on a few reasons.
1. Class bias against a saffron clad religious guru. You look cool supporting Anna & his army of good communicators from the "civil society". But supporting Baba isn't cool!
2. A belief that Baba is a crook while Anna and his team are genuine crusaders? Don't forget there were allegations against Bhushans. True or false, but there are only allegations against Baba as well.
3. Baba has a political agenda. Anyone fighting elections to gain political power is bad.
4. There may be a deep-rooted sentiment in Jats against Babas. I have seen so many babas who come begging in the name of god, being ridiculed.
5. Caste angle- he is a Yadav.
6. Any other reason?
Many people openly cite number 3. It is disappointing as it is actually good for anyone making demands in the rules/system to have a political agenda! If you want to change the system, the best way is to change it by getting legitimate power to do so. You can't force someone else to make the changes you want. And only when you have the responsibility to make the change yourself, would you realise what agenda makes sense and what doesn't.
I think there is an apparent class bias as well. It is so evident in media's reporting and it affects everyone. Throughout the day you could hear the spin about how Baba had been exposed (nevermind the govt. being exposed on multiple counts). As media belatedly realised that there was no justification for police action whatsoever, the spin changed to how the govt. action could have made Ramdev a hero! That is like giving back handed compliments. But when Anna's movement was on, media was firmly batting for him. The movement was pretty much media's creation!
Then there are hypocrites who are ready to call anyone not supporting Anna's movement as cynics. But the same person(s) are ready to mock and ridicule Ramdev's "movement"!
How does anything justify this kind of police action on Ramdev and his supporters? He has a right to protest, irrespective of the fact whether he was fooling the government or whether he has a political agenda. You can't choose who you let protest and for what reason!
So what is it about Baba that makes him so much worse compared to Anna & co. Let me speculate on a few reasons.
1. Class bias against a saffron clad religious guru. You look cool supporting Anna & his army of good communicators from the "civil society". But supporting Baba isn't cool!
2. A belief that Baba is a crook while Anna and his team are genuine crusaders? Don't forget there were allegations against Bhushans. True or false, but there are only allegations against Baba as well.
3. Baba has a political agenda. Anyone fighting elections to gain political power is bad.
4. There may be a deep-rooted sentiment in Jats against Babas. I have seen so many babas who come begging in the name of god, being ridiculed.
5. Caste angle- he is a Yadav.
6. Any other reason?
Many people openly cite number 3. It is disappointing as it is actually good for anyone making demands in the rules/system to have a political agenda! If you want to change the system, the best way is to change it by getting legitimate power to do so. You can't force someone else to make the changes you want. And only when you have the responsibility to make the change yourself, would you realise what agenda makes sense and what doesn't.
I think there is an apparent class bias as well. It is so evident in media's reporting and it affects everyone. Throughout the day you could hear the spin about how Baba had been exposed (nevermind the govt. being exposed on multiple counts). As media belatedly realised that there was no justification for police action whatsoever, the spin changed to how the govt. action could have made Ramdev a hero! That is like giving back handed compliments. But when Anna's movement was on, media was firmly batting for him. The movement was pretty much media's creation!
