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Swami Ramdev(1965-), also known as Baba Ramdev, is an Indian Hindu swami (saint).

Early life

Ramdev was born as Ramkishan in Alipur, Mahendragarh district of Haryana; he went to school until 8th grade in Shahjadpur. Afterwards. he joined a gurukul in Khanpur village to learn Sanskrit.

Life

In 1995, Baba Ramdev joined the order of swamis after being initiated into the ascetic order by Swami Shankerdevji Maharaj.

While training to be a Swami, Baba Ramdev spent many years undertaking an intense and thorough study of ancient Indian scriptures.

Pranayama

The Pranayam program as taught by Swami Ramdev consists of the following six key breathing exercises (in sequence):

1. Bhastrika Pranayam
2. Kapal Bhati Pranayam
3. Baahya Pranayam
4. Anulom Vilom Pranayam
5. Bhramri Pranayam
6. Udgeeth Pranayam

Controversy

In the month of March 2005, about 113 workers employed by the Divya Yog Mandir Trust, Kankhal, Haridwar, owned by Ramdev started an agitation for minimum wages and for coverage under the Provident Fund and Employees' State Insurance schemes. At a tripartite meeting, an agreement was reached between the workers, management and the district administration. But, some agitating workers were dismissed by the Trust after being charged for alleged sabotage. Their case was taken up by a trade union controlled by Communist Party of India (Marxist), they are yet to be reinstated.

As part of their agitation, Brinda Karat, a CPI(M) leader, and prominent anti-Swami propagandist, called a press conference alleging un-healthy manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical company. She also accused the pharmacy of using animal and human parts in the manufacture of their ayurvedic medicines which were marketed as ayurvedic medicines. Though Ayurvedic texts allow the uses of such substances in the manufacture of some of the ayurvedic medicines, this violated, according to Brinda Karat, the laws related to proper labeling of medicines.

The controversy reached a flash-point in January 2006, when Brinda Karat produced a laboratory report supporting her claim that Divya Yog Pharmacy, owned by Ramdev, was using human and animal bones in his medicines. She claimed that a sample of the medicine (Kuliya Bhasm and Yauvanamrit Bati, purchased from Brahmakalp Chikitsalay, which is the Trust's hospital at Haridwar) was tested at government labs which later confirmed the presence of animal materials in the sample. She exhibited the prescription and cash receipt obtained from the medicine counter in support of her claim.

In a subsequent press conference Brinda Karat presented some of the expelled workers who claimed to have used Human skulls in preparing medicine. According to supporters of Swami Ramdev, this incident reeked of foulplay as the worker's were clearly seen being led and coerced into making statements by Ms.Karat in front of press. Brinda Karat was also known to make anti-Hindu statements in public.

The charges were denied by Ramdev and his followers who accused Brinda Karat and CPI(M) as anti-nationals and as agents of multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Four samples sent to the government-recognized research center (Shriram Institute of Industrial Research, Delhi) confirmed that the medicines contained no objectionable ingredients and were purely herbal. Uttaranchal state Health Minister Tilak Raj Behad announced this to BBC in March 2006. This refuted Karat's claims that Ramdev was part of any wrongdoing. Ancient Ayurvedic texts do, at times, proscribe the use of animal materials.
For additional perspectives on this issue please follow the links below.,,,

Many politicians, including those usually supportive of the left like Sharad Pawar, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Ambika Soni came out in support of Baba Ramdev . VHP and RSS spokesmen strongly condemned this attack on Ramdev, while Narayan Dutt Tiwari, CM of Uttaranchal, praised Ramdev for popularizing Uttaranchal and Haridwar.

Notes

1. In the Name of Ayurveda (Frontline : Volume 23;Issue 02, Jan. 28 - February 10, 2006)
2. See the editorial in The Hindu dated 10th January 2006
3. International Council of Ayurveda - January 5, 2006 (you will need to page down to the article - MORE SUPPORT FOR SWAMI RAMDEV)
4. The Telegraph - January 08, 2006
5. Asia Times - Jan 28, 2006
6. Newsweek International - Jan. 23, 2006
7. BBC News - Yogi cleared of animal parts row - March 8th, 2006

External links

• The Hindu editorial on the controversy
• Divya Yoga Mandir Trust - Swami Ramdev Website
• The republic and the wayward rationalist - Essay by P. Sainath

• Website on Swami Ramdev Yoga Pranayama

• Yogis