Baba Ramdev’s Power-hungry Entourage

Followers of Baba Ramdev find themselves on the wrong side of the law for electricity theft in Kerala.

Baba Ramdev, whose television shows are watched by millions, makes it a point to talk loudly and regularly about corruption. Last week, the yoga guru launched a blood signature campaign in Karnataka against corruption. A fortnight ago, a public meeting against corruption was held in Panaji in Goa, where Ramdev asserted that 99 per cent of all state and national governments in India are corrupt and anti-people.

But his entourage isn’t listening. On 29 March, at a yoga camp in Thiruvananthapuram, Ramdev taught a large crowd breathing exercises and gave them a little talk on corruption. Ramdev is usually accompanied by a hundred-odd people who manage the show. They arrive in luxury vans and buses. In Thiruvananthapuram too, around 90 followers had come in. The vehicles are specially designed to meet the daily requirements of 50 to 60 people, including their accommodation. They cook, eat and sleep in these vehicles.

They camped one day in advance. However, they didn’t bother to submit a formal application to the Kerala State Electricity Board to power the show. Electric posts stood nearby. They took power directly from a 230 volt line, using it lavishly for two days.

“We were informed by local people who noticed the theft,” says an assistant engineer at the electricity board, “In our inspection, it was found that 2 kilowatts of power had been used illegally.” Ramdev’s team was asked to pay a fine of Rs 22,000, which they refused. Only the threat of a criminal case made them hand over the sum. “They told us they have been doing the same for long in all other states for their public meetings,” adds the engineer. “This was the first time that somebody had told them this was a crime.”

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Shahina KK