This story is from June 11, 2011

Baba Ramdev not mature enough to lead: Anna Hazare

In an interview to TOI, Hazare said: "To get involved in social work, one needs to be alert about many things and Baba is yet to learn it. Baba has the habit of taking decisions unilaterally."
Baba Ramdev not mature enough to lead: Anna Hazare
PUNE: A day after he declared his campaign would have no truck with Ramdev's call to arms, social crusader Anna Hazare on Friday said the yoga guru was "not mature enough to lead a social movement as he does not have expertise other than yoga".
In an interview to TOI, Hazare said: "To get involved in social work, one needs to be alert about many things and Baba is yet to learn it.
Baba has the habit of taking decisions unilaterally."
After news came in that Ramdev, who has been on an indefinite fast at Haridwar, was shifted to hospital, Hazare urged the government to open a dialogue with him on "humanitarian grounds". Hazare said Ramdev had a right to protest against the government as it was a legitimate right of an individual in a democracy.
Hazare who is pressing the union government for enacting the Jan Lokpal Bill before August 15, explained why he distancing himself from Ramdev. "In our agitation, we discuss the developments with other activists, share ideas, welcome suggestions before taking a decision. This is the way to run any campaign or agitation. Baba's thought process is not like us, hence there are some shortcomings in his way of protest which has benefited the government." But he acknowledged their target was the same.
Meanwhile, a group of Ramdev's followers from Pune visited Ralegan Siddhi on Friday morning to extend their support to Hazare's campaign. The followers said that though Baba was their spiritual guru, they did not agree with his call to arms in the fight against corruption and they would join Hazare's protest.
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About the Author
Nikhil Deshmukh

Nikhil Deshmukh is business correspondent at The Times of India, Pune. His areas of professional interest include business, socio-economic issues, politics, infrastructure, agriculture and entertainment. He writes on sports and wild life too. A movie buff, he loves trekking, biking and reading.

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