The "return" of black money might still be some time and several laws away, but for the bhakts of Baba Ramdev gathered under the massive tent at Ramlila Maidan, it is a prophesy that is bound to be self-fulfilling.
Not for them the doubts whether the complicated task of tracking black money offenders and labyrinthine bank accounts. If Ramdev has said this can be done, it can well be the case. Moreover , there is a seeping belief that the money, when hauled in, will change their lives for the better.
"He is not like Gandhi. He is ten steps ahead of Gandhi as he is fighting his own people for the rights of crores," thundered a supporter of Baba Ramdev as many others cheered him on. Next to him sat Ramdev, quite oblivious to the compliment bestowed on him but beaming with the confidence that proved to be nothing less than infectious and reassuring .
The questions being asked about the guru's own assets and trusts, of the funding for the show he is staging in Delhi or the fare for charter flights are not for the initiated as well for many of those drawn in by the alluring , if possibly evanescent promise of riches that might flow in.
The thousands gathered at Ramlila ground could be drawn for a host of causes. But the fight against corruption seems as good as any other. They are there for their leader, Ramdev. As Sudhir , a farmer from Uttarakhand , put it, "Baba has reached another level of being. If he has decided that there are certain problematic issues that need to be sorted out, I am in no position to question him."
Ramdev has drawn sharp criticism and many believe that an impression that black money can be retrieved could be dangerously false. But none of those spending days and nights at Ramlila grounds have any doubt about the guru's plans.
"He has obviously thought about what he is asking for. I do not know his plans or why he has made certain demands but he definitely has his reasons and I am not going to question those," said Aman Sagar, a 25-year-old artist who has come from Dhanbad.
Ramdev knows the pulse of the crowd and has them eating out of his hand. At one point during the afternoon , he tells the cheering crowd to identify itself by the states they come from. While talking about the allegations levelled against him, he periodically refers to himself in third person. "Baba can do no wrong. Baba is the 'bharat putra' . Jo baba mein bura dekh raha hai uski drishti mein khot hai, baba mein nahin," he says to the people who can't stop clapping . Every once in a while, someone walks up to the stage to click his picture on his mobile phone.
Radhey Shyam, a resident of Moradabad confidently argues for Ramdev's agenda. Ask him one question on why and how and his demeanour changes. "Ramdev ji knows what he is talking about. These are details he has given us (referring to the black money stashed abroad) and he cannot be wrong. We are here because of him and will do whatever he asks of us," he says.
Not for them the doubts whether the complicated task of tracking black money offenders and labyrinthine bank accounts. If Ramdev has said this can be done, it can well be the case. Moreover , there is a seeping belief that the money, when hauled in, will change their lives for the better.
"He is not like Gandhi. He is ten steps ahead of Gandhi as he is fighting his own people for the rights of crores," thundered a supporter of Baba Ramdev as many others cheered him on. Next to him sat Ramdev, quite oblivious to the compliment bestowed on him but beaming with the confidence that proved to be nothing less than infectious and reassuring .
The questions being asked about the guru's own assets and trusts, of the funding for the show he is staging in Delhi or the fare for charter flights are not for the initiated as well for many of those drawn in by the alluring , if possibly evanescent promise of riches that might flow in.
The thousands gathered at Ramlila ground could be drawn for a host of causes. But the fight against corruption seems as good as any other. They are there for their leader, Ramdev. As Sudhir , a farmer from Uttarakhand , put it, "Baba has reached another level of being. If he has decided that there are certain problematic issues that need to be sorted out, I am in no position to question him."
Ramdev has drawn sharp criticism and many believe that an impression that black money can be retrieved could be dangerously false. But none of those spending days and nights at Ramlila grounds have any doubt about the guru's plans.
"He has obviously thought about what he is asking for. I do not know his plans or why he has made certain demands but he definitely has his reasons and I am not going to question those," said Aman Sagar, a 25-year-old artist who has come from Dhanbad.
Ramdev knows the pulse of the crowd and has them eating out of his hand. At one point during the afternoon , he tells the cheering crowd to identify itself by the states they come from. While talking about the allegations levelled against him, he periodically refers to himself in third person. "Baba can do no wrong. Baba is the 'bharat putra' . Jo baba mein bura dekh raha hai uski drishti mein khot hai, baba mein nahin," he says to the people who can't stop clapping . Every once in a while, someone walks up to the stage to click his picture on his mobile phone.
Radhey Shyam, a resident of Moradabad confidently argues for Ramdev's agenda. Ask him one question on why and how and his demeanour changes. "Ramdev ji knows what he is talking about. These are details he has given us (referring to the black money stashed abroad) and he cannot be wrong. We are here because of him and will do whatever he asks of us," he says.
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