Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has warned the Narendra Modi government that student protests over alleged irregularities in education and recruitment examinations could heighten if the Centre fails to address what
he described as widespread “ghapla” or scams.
Ramdev also urged the Gen Z to keep their protests peaceful and within constitutional limits, according to a PTI report. He said he did not support violence or lawlessness but warned that public anger could grow if complaints over education and recruitment were not addressed.
Speaking to reporters at Patanjali Yogpeeth on the 80th Independence Day, Ramdev said students were protesting over a lack of basic facilities in schools and colleges, including teachers, electricity, water and toilets.
He also alleged that corruption and money power were influencing government recruitment processes.
“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. Cheating is rampant in some places, while question papers are being leaked in others. In government job interviews, corruption runs as high as 99%. Selections are being done along the lines of caste and religion. This is highly offensive and against the Constitution,” he was quoted saying.
Ramdev Threatens Protest
Ramdev said the government needed to act quickly or risk seeing the agitation spread further.
“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. If everyone starts protesting, then how will the country run? Hence, mend your ways; otherwise, agitation would escalate further,” he said.
He added that he could join the protests himself if the alleged irregularities were not addressed.
“I don’t support anarchy and lawlessness under the garb of protests. But there is not denying that there are a lot of ghapla (scams) in the country. Kindly fix this problem, or else Baba Ramdev will have to protest again,” he warned.
Ramdev was referring to his anti-corruption protest at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan in 2011, which ended after a police crackdown.
Calls For Unity, Constitutional Protests
The yoga guru also criticised what he described as growing hostility between Indians along political, caste and religious lines.
“Shame on those people! I condemn those who, in the name of being citizens of India, hate and harbour malice toward one another, hating each other politically, and based on caste. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits, Adivasis, forest dwellers, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, and Buddhists standing against one another with such hostility, as if they are thirsty for each other’s blood!” he said.
He called for an end to divisions and urged citizens to uphold democratic and constitutional values.
Ramdev also appealed to young people to fight for their rights without resorting to violence or disorder.
“Independence means having our own system, our own education, healthcare, economy, and prioritising the honour and self-respect of our nation’s citizens above all else. We should not be fighting among ourselves,” he said.
“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. Yes, we must fight for our rights, and we must fully fulfill our duties, but all of this should be done while keeping democratic and constitutional limits in mind,” he added.
