•C. Jayanthi: You spoke of social justice. Why is there such tremendous persecution of Brahmins—you see it in the medical colleges—in Tamil Nadu?

Tamil Nadu is a progressive state because we have taken along every section of society. The downtrodden have been neglected for long and it is high time they get equal opportunity. But it is not as if any mediocre student gets into medical colleges. The cut-off for SC/STs in Tamil Nadu is 89 per cent, for OBCs it is 95 per cent, forward classes 96 per cent.   

•Mihir Sharma: You are promoting yoga in schools. Is yoga-related study a good use of scarce resources and time? What is your stand on promoting yoga after your public face-off with a popular yoga guru, Ramdev?

I am passionate about yoga. It is a very cost effective module to shape healthy individuals. Introducing it at the school level will inculcate yoga in children at an early age. Yoga was founded in India, exported to America and then imported back into India because we always ape the West. I had an issue with Ramdev when he said he could cure HIV-AIDS. No one can cure AIDS. Now he says he can treat AIDS, not cure it. I have nothing against Ramdev. He has been popularising yoga and a healthy lifestyle. We are like-minded people. The message here is that let’s prevent rather than treat. Which is why I want to make yoga mandatory in schools.  

... contd.