Note: Well I initially thought of writing an article in a general paragraph form. But soon I realised that it would be very tedious for my readers to grasp article in one go if I wrote all my emotions. I figured out if I write the Ramdev crackdown incident in points then you guys will be better able see what has happened and is happening. Also you would have your own, original set of emotions and reactions.
NARENDRA MODI
- “The PM had said during the elections that he would bring back black money stashed in Swiss banks within 100 days of coming into power. But today it is two years and nothing has happened”
- “Congress will have to answer 120 crore people of India about the use of violence on innocent people”
- “The onslaught was ironically against a person who was welcomed by four ministers".
WHAT HAPPENED?
Mithu Roy from Gujarat was one of the thousands of Baba Ramdev supporters. This is her account of the assault on the Ramdev camp and its aftermath, as she spoke to “First post” (www.firstpost.com) while she was returning to her hometown.
- The whole raid was pre-planned. All the media people were the first ones removed.
- All afternoon people saw police presence increasing slowly, but at that time they were happy thinking government is making all these arrangements for their safety.
- People had started to sense something was amiss Saturday evening itself; as temperature had somehow changed. Baba told them that evening, “If the government comes to arrest me, what will you do? Will you continue with your fast?” And people said yes.
- Raid caught them by surprise. It is not like the police gave them 30 minutes to evacuate the tent, and collect their belongings. Instead there was tremendous pushing and shoving and total panic.
- Women were being pulled by their hair.
- People lost their belongings (matters as many were simple travelling villagers) like mobiles, baggage, etc.
- Some women hid in the toilet to save themselves.
- One woman’s sari was so badly torn that one of the men gave her his jeans to wear.
- One old lady’s head was cracked open.
- It was indeed "laathi ki barsaat".
- The sound system was cut off as well, adding to the chaos.
- The lights were off at the back of the shivir leading to great confusion. People were screaming and running. (If you wake up in the middle of the night in your own house, at least you know where the bathroom is. Here people didn’t know which way to run.)
- Baba also kept telling people that talks with the government were going well, that they had agreed on 99% of the issues, and only 1% was left. And that the fast would not go on very long.
- Baba wanted the government to release the names of those who had stashed their black money overseas. The government had the list but is not doing it. Baba said it’s the people’s right to know. But he said the government has been cooperating with us. But instead it stabbed him in the back.
- Many of the people inside wandered the streets at night [after being thrown out]. Some went to the gurudwara. Some went to the railway station.
- Baba had asked people who can afford, to book rooms outside to make more room for people inside the camp to sleep at night. Those people who went came to the camp in morning but they were not being allowed back in. They couldn’t reach their people inside.
- Sunday morning, people were told the rooms they had booked were cancelled. The owners of the hotel suddenly said they did not have the right papers. They told followers in the morning that PAN card was not good enough. They said, “We need your voter ID cards. Please take your luggage and go away.”
- Section 144 imposed in Ramlila ground leaving all supporters nowhere to go; henceforth forced to go back. It’s a clear intention to cut short Baba’s support.
QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED?
This was Operation Ramdev – it happened under the cover of night like Operation bin Laden.
- Is Baba some kind of terrorist? Baba was not forcing anyone to fast. Baba always said: whatever you do, do non-violently.
- Is it a crime now to fast in your own country?
- People abandoned their own meals, is that also a problem for the government?
- Why did the police not come on stage during the day and arrest the Baba if they needed to?
- The ministers can go to the airport to meet him. Why not come to Ramlila to meet him onstage?
- What did ordinary people like us did to deserve this?
- Why lathi-charge ordinary people who are sleeping at night?
- What is this country, where mothers and sisters are treated like this? Is this our country’s culture?
- Is government saving its face by disagreeing to release the list of people with black money?
- Where is Rahul Gandhi now?
FOR CRITICS OF BABA RAMDEV
Some critics say:
Baba is cheat. Baba Ramdev and his followers, always divert question about their assets. They should give account of the money that was used to do this grand fast (staggering 18 crore). Baba Ramdev owns assets of Scottish island, 95 acres in Houston, real estate in Canada, and the $ 45 million dollars, annual funds is received. Why cannot the Baba Ramdev give an account of where and who are making these donations. How can this Baba talk about Black money of other people when his own money is stashed abroad?
My answer to this is:
If Baba had black money and such assets illegally, then he would be the first person to be caught by the law he is demanding. The prime demand about declaring black money is in extreme good faith of our nation. Not supporting such move certainly means indirectly supporting corruption. Whatever is going on, is against corruption and enough reason to support Baba.
WRAPPING UP
Like we saw in “Rang de Basanti”, the government made a barbaric attack on people protesting peacefully. Finally they had to pay back. A generation awakened.
Similarly, government have again taken a inhuman step to stop a peaceful protest. Keeping in mind this is not a movie. We have to carefully & peacefully again awaken a generation.
Save India and rediscover a reason to say “Yet again, Proud to be Indian”. JAI HIND.
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