Nalini Sriharan, the sole survivor of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination squad, had earned a death sentence for her role in the assassination of the former prime minister. But her action did not prevent Rajiv’s widow Sonia Gandhi from pleading for clemency on her behalf — for Nalini was mother to a young daughter. While Sonia Gandhi displayed the highest form of compassion in forgiving someone who was at least partly responsible for her husband’s assassination, Priyanka Gandhi, her daughter, recently went ahead and met Nalini in a prison in Vellore, where she is serving her life sentence.

Priyanka carried no ill-feeling or hatred for Nalini at the time of her meeting. The two women actually discussed their lives and children in the course of their conversation. Her brother Rahul Gandhi further made it clear that his family carries no hatred or ill-will. By deciding to make peace with the perpetrator of the biggest tragedy on their lives, the Gandhi family has raised the bar for immaculate public conduct even further.

Ramdev’s politics

I am eager to hear reactions from Baba Ramdev’s numerous followers after their leader’s latest crusade against the country’s cricketers, bureaucrats and politicians. By teaching complex yoga techniques in a lucid manner, Baba touched the hearts of millions across the country and endeared himself to the masses. Lately though, he seems to have taken to playing a different role — if his string of caustic remarks against the central leadership and the cricketers are any indicators. Surprisingly, he is not even shying from trying his hand at dictating India’s foreign policy.

Speaking at a yoga training camp recently, Baba accused Indian cricketers of turning into greedy opportunists — who will not think twice before campaigning against the public good in lieu of easy money. His accusations were ostensibly targeted at some cricketers who had endorsed eggs as a health food. But eyebrows were bound to be raised when he went on to accuse the central government of lacking courage and conviction in its dealing with China over the Tibet controversy. Calling the country’s political leadership old and ineffectual in dealing with China, he exhorted them to give a fitting reply to our northern neighbour for allegedly harming India and polluting our culture. Coming from a champion of yoga and spirituality, these politically charged remarks would be enough to perplex even the staunchest of his supporters.

Although Baba Ramdev is no stranger to controversial standoffs, he has seldom ventured beyond his role as a health guru. It was possible to understand Baba’s motivations when he launched a tirade against the cola companies a few years ago. His latest remarks give the impression of a vain attempt to ride on his popularity to turn into a politician.

Baba has earned well-deserved respect as a yoga teacher. His followers turn to him for advice and guidance purely on matters of their well-being — not for guidance on their political inclinations. Baba should himself be wary of diluting his influence as one of India’s foremost living yoga practitioners. As long as he is not harbouring intentions of fighting an election or floating his own political front, he should lead his followers the way they want him to lead, not according to his own political whims.

The writer is a Congress MP in Rajya Sabha