Ramdev Warns Centre: Fix Education, Recruitment Irregularities or I May Protest
Yoga guru and Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev on Saturday warned the central government over ongoing student protests against alleged irregularities in education and recruitment examinations, including recent controversies over competitive exams. Speaking at Patanjali Yogpeeth on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, he said that if the issues were not addressed promptly, the agitation could intensify, and he might be compelled to join protests.
Ramdev said students have been protesting over the lack of basic facilities in educational institutions, including teachers, water, electricity and toilets. He also alleged that corruption and money power were influencing selection processes in government jobs, with question paper leaks and cheating reported in some places. "There is chaos everywhere in the country. Children are complaining that there are no teachers in their schools. Basic facilities like electricity, water and toilets are missing. Cheating is rampant in some places, while question papers are being leaked in others. In government job interviews, corruption runs as high as 99%. Selections are being done along the lines of caste and religion. This is highly offensive and against the Constitution," he said.
He appealed to the government to "mend its ways" and fix the problems, warning that otherwise the agitation would escalate. He said it was contradictory to uphold ideals like "Satyameva Jayate" (truth alone triumphs) while recruitments were allegedly happening after paying substantial bribes. "If everyone starts protesting, then how will the country run? Hence, mend your ways; otherwise, agitation would escalate further," he said. "I don't support anarchy and lawlessness under the garb of protests. But there is no denying that there are a lot of scams in the country. Kindly fix this problem, or else Baba Ramdev will have to protest again," he added. His remarks referenced his 2011 anti-corruption protest at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, which ended in a police crackdown.
Ramdev also criticised rising social tensions, condemning those who, in his words, harbour hatred towards others based on caste, religion or political affiliation. "Shame on those people! I condemn those who, in the name of being citizens of India, hate and harbour malice toward one another, hating each other politically, and based on caste," he said. He listed various communities, including Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits, Adivasis, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains and Buddhists, and said they should not stand against each other. "We must break down all these walls of hatred across the country. On this 80th Independence Day, let us pledge to tear down the doctrine of 'divide and rule'," he added.
Addressing the youth, Ramdev said that while it was important to fight for rights, protests must remain within the boundaries of the Constitution. "Children and youth shouldn't be fighting; Gen Zs are not meant to be fighters. They shouldn't be out spreading lawlessness and anarchy on the streets. Yes, we must fight for our rights, and we must fully fulfill our duties, but all of this should be done while keeping democratic and constitutional limits in mind," he said.
He emphasised that true independence meant having a self-reliant system in education, healthcare and the economy, while prioritising the honour and self-respect of citizens. "We should not be fighting among ourselves," he said. He reiterated that freedom meant putting the nation's honour and self-respect above everything else.
The statements come at a time when student groups in several states have been holding protests over alleged irregularities in competitive exams and recruitment processes. Ramdev's remarks are his personal views and have not been independently verified by this publication.
