THE recent attack on yoga guru Swami Ramdev by RJD president Lalu Prasad has left political observers guessing in Bihar, reports Mail Today.
Known for his abiding faith in all things religious, Lalu visits shrines and pays obeisance to holy men regularly for his personal and political well- being. But when a holy man decided to enter politics, he had his potshots ready. “ These holy men have turned senile,” Lalu said.
Addressing a meeting of the backward classes in Patna earlier this week, Lalu lampooned Ramdev for trying to enter politics by using yoga, which he said was the age- old tool used by sages to attain salvation. Political observers are at a loss to understand the reason behind Lalu's unprovoked attack. As a yoga guru, Ramdev has had a huge following in Bihar. His sessions in the state have in the past always drawn crowds, including ministers and bureaucrats.
Observers say Ramdev's idea to field candidates in the forthcoming polls through his Bharat Swabhiman Party did not win Lalu's approval possibly because it might cut into his vote bank. Ramdev, who was born as Ramkishan Yadav in Haryana, had recently announced he would field candidates from all the Lok Sabha seats in the next polls to purge the political system.
Though he had made it clear that he himself would not contest the polls, his decision apparently left Lalu livid. Other Yadav leaders in the state, however, believe Ramdev would do a world of good to Indian politics.
“ We welcome his entry into politics,” Independent MLA Dadan Pahalwan said. “ Lalu ji is speaking against him because he does not want anybody, especially from his community, to rise in politics.” Dadan, who was a minister in the Rabri Devi ministry, added: “ He ( Ramdev) wants to bring back all the money stashed in Swiss banks by corrupt politicians… Lalu ji is also an accused in corruption cases.” Congress leader and All India Congress Committee member Chandrama Yadav said Ramdev stood for values in politics and everybody should welcome people like him. “ He is above caste and other narrow considerations.
He has devoted his life for the service of humanity,” he said. “ Lalu ji should not deride him.” But Lalu wants the seers to steer clear of politics. Ramdev, however, he had held in high esteem in the past. In fact, he might have himself benefited from the guru's yoga tips.
Lalu, who had attended Ramdev's session when he visited Patna a few years ago, said he had advised him against entering politics. He said the guru had been criticising politicians. “ He has apparently forgotten we once saved him from being beaten up,” Lalu quipped. He was probably referring to the support he had extended to Ramdev when the leaders of the Left parties had accused him of mixing animal bones in the Ayurvedic medicines manufactured by his Patanjali Yogapeeth in Haridwar.
Lalu's admiration for the guru seems to have waned now. In fact, he even accused Ramdev of being a cheat for his claims of curing cancer patients. “ It is nothing but befooling people,” he said.
