Baba Ramdev on 'fast track' against corruption

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev is undertaking a fast unto death in New Delhi from today, June 4 to demand recovery of black money deposited by Indians in Swiss banks, disclosure of account-holders' names, and a ban on high-denomination currency notes.
     
The satyagraha will be held at Ramlila Maidan "to force the Government to act on corruption-related issues," Ramdev told reporters here.
     
"Along with me, several supporters spread across the world will also fast during the satyagraha," he said.
     
"The Centre has not taken any concrete decision on the issue of black money. The fight against corruption will continue till it is not rooted out," he said.


A strong Lokpal law should be enacted by August 2011, Ramdev said. The Lokpal panel should have the power to recover money swindled by the corrupt and punish them with death sentence, he said.
     
Ramdev also demanded declaration of illegal wealth held by Indians in foreign countries, ratification of the UN Convention against Corruption and ban on all high-denomination currency notes such as Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500.
     
In this 'Satyagraha against Corruption' movement, Ramdev has invited social activist Anna Hazare, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi and Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde.
     
However, Ramdev said though he appreciated efforts of eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan and his son Prashant regarding Lokpal Bill, they had not been invited to join him. 

"The fight against corruption will never be easy. Fingers will be pointed at everyone and there could be a conspiracy against those who are a part of this movement," he said, adding he will write a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issues relating to corruption.
     
Asked if he was delinking himself from Hazare's movement by announcing his own satyagraha, Ramdev said, "Annaji's agitation was on the single issue of Lokpal Bill. We have to take the agitation to the next level."
     
Ramdev, however, clarified he had no intention to enter politics. "I do not have any ambition to be a politician. I will never actively participate in politics." 

But the party, which is reeling from the perception of corruption on its watch, has decided not to up the ante against Ramdev for fear of risking a confrontation with the constituency that he has acquired on the strength of his moral rearmament plank.

Veteran Bollywood actress and social activist Shabana Azmi has welcomed yoga guru Baba Ramdev's fight against corruption. Speaking on Ramdev's plan to start an indefinite fast against corruption from Saturday, the actress said, "People are frustrated with corruption. And what Baba Ramdev has done by raising the issue again is a very good thing." "The issue should be larger than the individual and the need is for the people to rally together on the issue", she said.

(Baba Ramdev)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

'Rajmohan's Wife', the first Indian novel in English

Image
'Rajmohan's Wife' was first serialized in 1864. The book is by one of the most famous Bangla novelist - Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay. It was his first novel and his only English novel. Later, he went on to write Bangla novels which are loved even today and Bankimbabu is remembered as one of the bests that the Indian soil has ever produced.  This novel tells the story of the beautiful and passionate Matangini, married to a villainous man and in love with her sister's husband, represents the vitality of women who remain strong in the face of brutality and the confining expectations of middle-class society. It gives a great description of the then Bengali life. It gives a beautiful description of female beauty. it is told the Bankimchandra wanted to make the novel much larger but later shortened it. We can also feel it because the descriptions at the beginning of the book is very elaborate but it decreases as we move on. This novel was one which was more heard than read
Read more

'Human' by Kazi Nazrul Islam

Image
Let's sing the song of equality Nothing is greater than human, nor important. No difference in country-time-person, same for all religion, In countries, times, and houses they are relatives. Devotee, open the door, God of hunger is standing at the door, time for devotion. Seeing the dream, eager devotee opened a temple, Surely he will be a king today by the blessing of God. In tattered clothes, lean and thin body, voice is low for hunger Said the traveler, "Sir, open the door, I am starving for seven days." Door of the temple was closed at once, the hungry returns back, Dark night, only lights of hunger are all around the way. The hungry chants "O God, that temple is of devotee, not your." Yesterday was feast in the mosque, a lot of bread and meat Are left, the priest is very happy for that. At this moment a traveler came wearing tattered clothes, Said, "Sir, I am starving for seven days" The priest shouted with annoyance, "Wh
Read more

The legacy of a poet - Kazi Nazrul Islam, the prophet of tolerance

Image
Kazi Nazrul Islam's works have been acclaimed as well as criticized for egoism, but his admirers who supported him throughout his life, considered this as self-confidence more than ego. They said that he had the ability to defy God and yet be devoted. Was a Bengali poet, writer, musician, revolutionary and philosopher who is best known for pioneering works in Bengali expressing fierce rebellion against society, tradition, politics, injustice, intolerance and oppression. Popularly known as the Bidrohi Kobi – Rebel Poet – he is widely popular and revered in India and commemorated as the "national poet" of Bangladesh. Nazrul lacked any formal training as a journalist or artist, and appears to have built  his artistic experience through his participation in folk musical troupes in his youth.  After two years of high school, Nazrul joined the army of the British colonial government. Stationed in Karachi during World War One, as part of the Bengal regiment,  he ros
Read more