Baba Ramdev sends Raksha Bandhan gift to Kangana Ranaut; calls for end to hatred, discrimination

Haridwar, Aug 28 (IANS) Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Friday said he was sending a gift and sweets to actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and called for an end to hatred and hostility in society.

His remarks come amid a recent controversy surrounding Ranaut’s “Generation Gutter” comment, which she made while criticising protesters at Jantar Mantar. Her statement triggered widespread criticism from sections of the entertainment industry and public life. Baba Ramdev had also publicly objected to Ranaut’s remarks, leading to a direct exchange between the two.

Speaking to reporters, Baba Ramdev said, “I am sending this gift and these sweets to our sister, Kangana Ranaut, by post. There should be no hatred in the country for any reason, and there should be no hostility towards one another. That is why we have completely given up all animosity. Any dispute should be resolved through dialogue. Today, I will also call Kangana to wish her on Raksha Bandhan.”

Baba Ramdev also spoke about the broader significance of Raksha Bandhan and called for social harmony and an end to discrimination based on caste or community.

“Draupadi tied rakhi to Lord Krishna and Brahmins tied rakhi to Kshatriyas. This country has been a worshipper of knowledge and valour, and Raksha Bandhan is a festival of love between brothers and sisters,” he said.

“I would say that all Indians—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits, SCs and STs—should not face discrimination in society in the name of caste or community. We should follow the Vedic perspective, which does not discriminate on the basis of caste or community, male or female, or any gender,” he added.

Ramdev further appealed to political parties to promote unity and send a message against discrimination.

“Here, we don’t discriminate between male and female. I would say that ruling and Opposition parties should tie rakhis. This would send a big message to society that there should not be any kind of discrimination,” he said.

Reacting to the flash floods in Nepal, Baba Ramdev said members of Patanjali Yoga Samiti and Patanjali Yogpeeth were committed to helping people affected by the disaster.

“There is a very big crisis facing nature and the environment. We consider nature to be our fundamental culture. What happened in Nepal is extremely tragic. Our fellow Indians, Nepalese brothers and others have lost their lives, and many of our loved ones have been separated from us. It is deeply painful,” he said.

–IANS

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