The Red Saffron

The color saffron is associated with sacrifice, religious abstinence, quest for light and salvation. Saffron or ‘Bhagwa’ is the most sacred color for the Hindus and is often worn by ‘Sanyasis’ who have left their home in search of the ultimate truth.

One such saffron ‘Sanyasi’ is Baba Ramdev who has been in news recently for his movement against corruption.

However with the turn of recent events one can always wonder, that does the color saffron really signify a character trait possessed by Baba Ramdev, or are those traits long gone for when he was actually in search of salvation? Is the ultimate truth according to him, a death penalty for all the corrupt people, or is it to raise arms against those who indulge in such means?

The basic objective of the fast initiated by Baba Ramdev was to bring back all the Indian black money from foreign nations. In due course of time it was realized that the movement had a broader agenda. The methods (use of force and teargas by the Delhi police in Ramlila Maidan) used by the UPA to counter this movement were improper and initiated widespread criticism. But, this is where Anna Hazare succeeded and Baba Ramdev failed.

Anna Hazare in his fast against corruption kept all sorts of political parties or activists away from his movement. The basic logic behind this idea was to keep his movement as unadulterated as possible. Baba Ramdev, even before the initialization of his movement, made promises and sat in meetings with various political parties.

When different political parties merge in on a common issue or a movement, they are bound to have different political goals. The issue of raising arms has gone to such extremities that the ‘militant’ faces of hindutva, the Durga Vahini and Bajrang Dal, two hardline outfits of the Sangh Parivar, have come out in support of Ramdev’s call.

There may be various conspiracy theories for Ramdev’s movement. It may be possible that with the recent issue of land being allotted to Ramdev at cheap rates in Himachal Pradesh by the BJP may have instilled him to lead this movement. It may also be possible that Baba Ramdev has his own political agenda through this movement. It may be possible that in the coming years we see Ramdev as a leading face in Indian politics.

Sonia Gandhi has total claimed assets of Rs1.38 crore. Dr. Manmohan Singh has claimed assets worth Rs 4 crore. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia and Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath are some of the Congress’ richest ministers with claimed assets upwards of Rs 20 crore. The total capital of different institutions associated with Baba Ramdev has been declared to be nearly Rs 426 crore, which is almost Rs 100 crore more than the total of UPA claimed assets. We as the common people must know whom we are revolting for and what we are revolting against.

The color Red along with many other things signifies impurity.