Author:
Publication: Tehelka
Date: November 29, 2008
URL: http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne291108incoldblood.asp
Introduction: Batting Rohini Mohan's questions
Baba Ramdev denies defending Sadhvi Pragya, and explains his plans for a new
political party
Q.: Why did you say that Sadhvi Pragya Thakur
is innocent?
A.: I never said Pragya Thakur is innocent or guilty. Who am I to give such
a certificate? I've always said that when the matter is in court, or under
investigation, one must not pronounce anyone guilty or innocent.
Q.: Are you retracting your statement that
you are with her?
A.: I did not mean to say that. It has been distorted out of context, as a
lot of things I say are. I did say that our government today has turned communal,
and prayojith shadyanthr (state-sponsored terror) has become the order of
the day. So it's possible that Pragya may have been involved, and it's equally
possible this is completely fabricated.
Q.: Do you think a religious person cannot
be a terrorist?
A.: There is Muslim terror around the world in the name of protecting Islam.
But all terrorism is, at the end of the day, an excuse to kill innocents and
spread fear. I know manygood Muslims are against jihadi terrorism. But today,
there are also some groups among Hindus who are getting angry, and feel the
need to retaliate. I've seen this feeling grow among sanyasis too. They say
they are ready to defend themselves against Muslim terror.
Q.: So you know sanyasis who are planning
terror?
A.: Events are inflaming hatred, even among the most devout sanyasis. One
cannot be blind to the terror around us, and after all, sanyasis too are human.
When the government is not making us secure, we may need to protect ourselves.
Q.: Are you justifying terrorism by calling
it self-defence?
A.: People are targeting sadhus and sants. So sometimes I feel the need to
speak up against what could be a false story.
You do not have faith in the process of law?
Or is it the police and ATS you suspect? Everything has become politicised,
so it is childish to believe that the police and ATS are free from bias. But
I have full faith in the courts. I'm sure truth will prevail.
Q.: On November 16, at your yoga camp in Panipat,
you sat with leaders from the BJP, RSS and VHP to launch a Hindu Dharam Raksha
Manch to take on the UPA Government. Is this the beginning of 'self-defence
against Jihadi terror'?
A.: These people came to my yoga camp and asked to speak to the audience there.
I wouldn't have refused even if Muslim or Christian leaders came up to me.
They said what they had to, and I have my own views. I do not agree with many
of their views, and I'm not a member of the manch.
Q.: You are a yoga guru and can influence
your following. Why are you getting involved in political matters?
A.: Can't Swami Ramdev speak as a citizen of India? If I can care about the
health of people, why can't I care about the health of the country? It is
my responsibility towards people who love me to give them a better country.
It's time for me to change things.
Q.: How are you going to bring about this
change?
A.: I've started the Bharat Swabhiman Manch, which will recruit unselfish,
patriotic people from any religion, who know the difference between fundamentalism
and religion.
Q.: Will you field candidates in elections?
A.: That is the best way to get rid of the current political system, communalised
beyond redemption. We do not want to create any last minute upheaval, so we're
not contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. We will however, be ready
in two years.
