Baba Ramdev sends Raksha Bandhan gift to Kangana Ranaut, calls for end to hatred
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Friday, 28 August announced he was sending a gift and sweets by post to actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, calling for an end to hatred and hostility across Indian society. The gesture comes days after a public exchange between the two over Ranaut's controversial “Generation Gutter” remark.
Background: The Controversy That Preceded the Gesture
Ranaut had drawn sharp criticism after referring to protesters at Jantar Mantar with the phrase “Generation Gutter,” triggering backlash from sections of the entertainment industry and public life. Baba Ramdev had been among those who publicly objected to her remarks, resulting in a direct exchange between the two public figures. The Raksha Bandhan outreach, therefore, carries the weight of a public reconciliation.
What Ramdev Said
Speaking to reporters in Haridwar, 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.”
Appeal for Caste and Community Harmony
Ramdev used the occasion to invoke the broader cultural significance of Raksha Bandhan, citing mythological precedent. “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.
He further urged that all Indians — “Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits, SCs and STs” — should be free from discrimination based on 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 also called on ruling and Opposition parties to symbolically tie rakhis to send a message of unity to society.
Ramdev on Nepal Flash Floods
Addressing the flash floods in Nepal, Ramdev said members of Patanjali Yoga Samiti and Patanjali Yogpeeth were committed to assisting those affected. “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, describing the disaster as a grave crisis for nature and the environment.
The twin messaging — personal reconciliation with Ranaut and a broader appeal for social harmony — positions Ramdev as a mediating voice ahead of what remains a politically charged cultural moment.