Author: Arunoday Mukharji
Publication: IBNLive.com
Date: June 9, 2011
URL: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ramdev-charges-for-blessings-exfollowers/158028-3.html
Baba Ramdev might be staging a protest against
corruption, but it seems he himself has some explaining to do, after his once
loyal followers have come out with strong allegations against the yoga guru.
Some of his former followers have alleged that Ramdev charges exorbitant amounts
for simply making appearance.
"He has received so much money and all
of it has gone for his selfish requirements, nothing for the poor," alleges
Kolkata industrialist Piyush Pandey, who was once a loyal follower of Ramdev.
It seems that Ramdev's battle against corruption
has become tougher. After being under fire from the government, his once loyal
followers have also begun disclosing how heavy donations are given to Ramdev's
ashram. They have also called him materialistic and raising questions over
the accounting of his institutions.
Ramdev allegedly charges money for appearances,
his shivirs and also for staying as a guest in his followers' homes. The rate
could allegedly vary from Rs 5 lakh to 20 lakh.
Leading Kolkata industrialist Hariram Garg,
a die hard follower of the Baba since 1986, describes the route to Baba's
meteoric rise.
"He has risen from the ground, but now
he has become proud and it's this pride that is taking him down," says
Garg
Garg also shares some shocking facts. The
Baba apparently has a fixed rate chart and this is how it goes.
If you want blessings from the Baba within
close proximity, it will cost you Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000. If you want him
to distribute prasad at your home, be ready to pay somewhere between Rs 50,000
to Rs 1 lakh.
The icing on the cake is that if you want
him to stay at your house, you don't get rent, instead he will have to be
paid anything from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. Moreover, to be a part of a shivir,
the charge is Rs 1 crore.
CNN-IBN had earlier shown visuals of how Ramdev's
close aides were collecting funds for his ill-fated fast at Ramlila Ground.
CNN-IBN has also learnt how members of the Peetanjali Yog Trust have to pay
to be a member.
To be come a corporate member one has to pay
Rs 11 lakh while the rate for becoming a founder member, patron member, life
member and general member are Rs 5 lakh, Rs 2.5 lakh, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 11,000
respectively.
Pandey says he used to offer simple donations
to Ramdev's ashram, but they became compulsory fees. He also claims that Ramdev
had allegedly demanded lakhs of rupees for staying at his house.
"We have given so much money. He knows
you till you keep donating, he will stop his association with you the day
you stop donating. Now he charges to stay at your house," says Pandey.
As Ramdev's battle with the government rages
on, allegations like these are likely to increase.
