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.

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