1. The process of handling agitations, adopted by the second largest democracy in the world- that has been a subject-matter  of all round criticism and rightly so, betrays the lack of governance on the part of  people concerned in (a) the government as also (b) the party in power. This could not have been more evidently highlighted than on wee hours June 5, 2011. Comparison with Jalianwala Bagh massacre, is exaggerated but not inapt- it has prompted the Supreme Court of the nation to express its shock and to suo-moto take cognizance of the matter/ situation and to issue notices to the central government and administrative functionaries.

 2. That there may have been some element of mischief on the part of organizers of the agitation- but that is secondary and some critical look on this aspect appropriately has later been taken in the paragraphs that follow- as the object of this article is not to merely to criticize the inapt action but to put some question that may help us to learn from the current situational scene in which the democracy finds itself once again after a long period- since the black days of an imposed emergency.

3. Secondly, the lack of direction and thought-clarity about the matters of concern and importance to people-at-large, even months or years after such matters are agitated publicly- not merely by the petty politicians and vested-interest-groups but by persons who have genuine interest in the welfare and uplift of society as such.

4. Whether the demands raised by Baba Ram Dev (months ahead of his actually embarking upon the much publicized journey to Delhi)  were formally sought from him and analyzed  with an in intention to form and format the views of concerned ministers and officials? Presuming for the time being, that these people have no vested interests vis a vis the demands raised- their expert opinion to deal with and eradicate could have been asked and debated for finalizing a Chhadi ( that is to say some deterrent or punitive action) – not necessarily a Jadu ki Chhadi (magical stick).It is besides the point that public does expect some magical touch from its leaders- like our Prime Minister- who is perceived and said to have been one of well-known economists around the world as also a thoroughly gentle, well meaning and non-corrupt person hailing from as also living as a typical middle class family.  

5. However in case it is feared (and rightly so) that they do have such interests- then – the views and analysis that was  needed, could  have been sought from / of the select officials who have more or less a cleaner background in terms of their monetary dealings and wealth accumulation history/ confidential reports. Educating public about the efforts in that direction made/ planned to be made by the Governmental agencies could have been put in public domain to prevent excessive politicization of the issue- in case that has been the Government's contention.

6. While Baba is probably rightly accused of exceeding the police license (?), in terms of (a) nature of gathering – that was described as Yoga camp rather than as Satyagruh and (b) substantial numbers of crowd that he finally was able to gather in Ram Leela ground, can the administrative authority be absolved of not being able to read in between the lines of daily news lines in print and electronic media that was dutifully reporting about both these points. Is there any evidence about any of the concerned administrative person (more particularly the person who did sign the license or issued instructions in that behalf – and the seniors then-on) taking up the matter for a discussion or an action-plan with any his senior or subordinate on the basis of news reports?

7.None is there to question- as to who selected the ministers to form the group of ministers that went ahead to meet the Baba Ram Dev at the airport and then to Hotel Claridges for the discussion and negotiations, the nature of mandate that was given to the group and the intermittent feedback that was required from the group?  However doubts prevails whether any pre-thinking at all proceeded before the four ministers did take a plunge and indulgence in goody-goody talks that ultimately reached a sour ending.

8. Sequence of events suggest that while the Prime Minister - taking a clue from approach taken in the matter of agitation initiated under the leadership of Anna Hazare and the importance accorded to him a month or so ago, gave initial directions for soft-handling and then went out of the loop. The Party President, receiving ad-interim advice from hardliners, was not as pleased with this and went ahead for a course-correction. Result was an unprecedented police action initiated (on the basis of said-to-exist-terror-threat information from intelligence agencies), hastily and was shrouded in non-transparency that ultimately led to unseemly acts on the part of a police force that is infamous for its shortcomings in dealing with mob situations, particularly the democratic movements.  

9. However without becoming partisan, it would be almost apparent even to any layman that a clumsy effort [like that by /of a small /medium scale industrial group (an SME unit to be precise) dealing with a trade union leader affiliated to some political party], was made (by the ministers in their executive capacity) to hoodwink the Baba into engaging him in some kind of a controversial compromise – almost sounding akin to a conspiracy. Or were the group of Ministers were so naïve to have been taken for a ride by the person on the opposite side single-handedly.

10.Without taking any side, and in particular without advocating any legitimacy for his thoughts and approach to the black money said to have been stashed and kept abroad- a question arises whether it is merely due to colour (saffron) of the clothes worn by him, that Baba Ram Dev was and is being perceived as a THUG-in contrast to Anna Hazare?. In substance, both the persons mean and talk about the same phenomena. By expressing doubts about the sincerity and seriousness of the Government about drafting a really empowering and strong LOKPAL bill and now today openly supporting Baba Ram Dev's Satyagruh and sitting for a day's fast- Anna Hazare has made it abundantly clear. Baba may be a businessman and not a very intelligent or learned person as such but he has a definite record of public service in teaching yoga to masses. Someone may impute motives to Baba and the subject matter of this article is not to defend for him.The kind of character assassination that one of the General Secretaries of the party in power is being allowed to do, in the name of freedom of expression, prior to bringing in any evidence to the public domain, does not speak well for democracy. And the threat of an encountered annihilation that was writ large on his face on 5th June 2011 speaks volumes about the fear of police and the Government.

11. Does it not sound that noises now (after the fiasco of non- compromise by/ between Baba Ram Deo and the Group pf four Union Ministers)  being made about 1100 crores Rupees worth of his industrial empire being on the radar of Enforcement Directorate etc.- betray the factual situation that  Government is apt to (mis) use the taxation and legal enforcement agencies against only those people who (and when) become adversaries to Governmental side and views. Until then such agencies continue to remain friendly with tax-evaders (subject of course to their periodic palm greasing) -that is a widespread feeling among  the people at large.By apparently going slow on issues of corruption and black money the party in the power as also the government are in a way exposing themselves-and more so when seen in the context of recent scams on telecom and commonwealth games arena where people in power in relevant times- are currently in Jails.