Yoga guru Ramdev on Saturday warned the Narendra Modi government that student protests over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment could intensify if their concerns were not addressed.
Speaking to reporters at Patanjali Yogpeeth on India’s 80th Independence Day, Ramdev said there was widespread anger among students over paper leaks, alleged corruption in recruitment and the lack of basic facilities in educational institutions.
“There is chaos everywhere in the country. Children are complaining that there are no teachers in their schools. Basic facilities like electricity, water and toilets are missing,” he said.
He also alleged that cheating and question-paper leaks were affecting examinations, while corruption and money power were influencing government recruitment.
“Cheating is rampant in some places, while question papers are being leaked in others,” Ramdev said, adding that alleged corruption in government job recruitment was “highly offensive and against the Constitution”.
‘Fix this, or Baba Ramdev will have to protest again’
Ramdev warned that the government could face larger protests if it failed to address the complaints.
“On the one hand, we preach Satyameva Jayate and Yato Dharmastato Jayah, while on the other, recruitments are happening only after paying of Rs 1 crore bribe,” he said.
“If everyone starts protesting, then how will the country run? Hence, mend your ways; otherwise, agitation would escalate further,” he added.
Ramdev said he did not support violence or anarchy during protests but maintained that the government needed to respond to genuine grievances.
“I don’t support anarchy and lawlessness under the garb of protests. But there is no denying there are a lot of ghapla (scams) in the country. Kindly fix this, or else Baba Ramdev will have to protest again,” he said.
His remarks referred to his 2011 anti-corruption protest at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, which was later broken up by police.
Ramdev asks Gen Z to protest within constitutional limits
While expressing support for students raising their concerns, Ramdev urged young people to stay away from violence and lawlessness.
“Children and youth shouldn’t be fighting; Gen Zs are not meant to be fighters. They shouldn’t be out spreading lawlessness and anarchy on the streets,” he said.
He added that young people should continue to fight for their rights but remain within democratic and constitutional limits.
“Yes, we must fight for our rights, and we must fully fulfil our duties, but all of this should be done while keeping democratic and constitutional limits in mind,” Ramdev said.
Calls for an end to caste and religious hostility
Ramdev also criticised growing divisions along caste, religious and political lines and called for greater unity among Indians.
“Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits, Adivasis, forest dwellers, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, and Buddhists standing against one another with such hostility,” he said.
“We must break down all these walls of hatred across the country,” he added.
Ramdev urged people to reject what he described as a politics of “divide and rule”.
“On this 80th Independence Day, let us pledge to tear down the doctrine of ‘divide and rule’, to stop breaking India and dividing this nation,” he said.
