There is no doubt that the Indian public is very frustrated with all the scams going on in the country '“ perpetrated upon us by politicians of different political parties.

We saw some hope in the fight against corruption...the movement getting help from Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev and others. At this time, we get a statement from actor Shah Rukh Khan saying that Baba Ramdev's proposed hunger strike against corruption and repatriation of black money stashed in foreign banks is politically motivated and he would not support the agitation.

He said - "Koi support nahin karunga...unka agenda hai...jaise hi koi neta ho jata hai...voh yeh sab karne lagata hai (I will not support him...he's got an agenda...as soon as one becomes a leader...he resorts to such kind of agitation), Jo jiska kaam ho, usko voh karna chahiye...agar koi neta ban kar karna chahta hai toh that is not the right way to raise an issue (One should do what is appropriate for him or her. If anyone is trying to slip into the shoes of a politician, then that is not the right way to do it)". 

Baba Ramdev is a Hindu Yogi, who has gained popularity for his teachings of Yoga and Pranayama, and for his public stance on a number of political and medical issues, who has in the recent past taken on the role of a "sage soldier" (yoddha sanyasi) in a peaceful stance against corruption. He shot into prominence when he started the Divya Yog Mandir Trust with the company of Achary Bal Krishna. In 2003, Aastha TV began featuring him in its morning yoga slot. Within a few years, he had gathered a  following. He is known for his efforts of popularizing yog. The New York Times called him "an Indian, who built Yoga Empire, a product and symbol of the New India. His yog-camps are attended by a large number of people in India and abroad. Baba Ramdev has been associated with the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement and was involved in the Jan Lokpal agitation. He plans to start an indefinite fast from June 4, 2011 to force the government to take steps to curb corruption, black money and bring back Indian money illegally stashed abroad.

In February 2011, he gave the following steps for eradication of black money:

1. Withdrawal and demonetizing of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes - so as to avoid misuse of unaccounted money and quick arrest of the entire locally circulated black money, bribing, and fake note traffic

2. Agree to and accept the U.N. Convention against Corruption '“ pending since 2006

3. Death penalty provision for the corrupt persons in the Indian Penal Code

4. Access, monitor and disrupt payment gateway servers enabling corrupt people to manage money in tax heavens

5. Scrutinizing accounts of people having credit/debit cards of foreign banks without any foreign work/relation

6. Disabling operations of any bank from a tax heaven country

Shah Rukh Khan's statement is either based on sheer ignorance or he has his own agenda. Either he is very childish even in his late 40's or his knowledge of social change is very minimal. His observation "Jo jiska kaam ho, usko voh karna chahiye...agar koi neta ban kar karna chahta hai toh that is not the right way to raise an issue' is an obvious reflection of his lack of depth to understand the complexity of the issue. 

The cancer of corruption in India has reached such a gargantuan proportion that it needs help from everyone in the country who is ready to raise their voice against it. It does not matter whether that person is a politician, social activist, academician, actor, businessmen etc. What does he mean when he says that everyone should do the work in their own areas? Where can we find people who have a Ph.D. and their specialization is '˜Eradication of Corruption'?

He should know that when Indira Gandhi declared emergency in 1975, actors Dev Anand, Pran, Shatrughan Sinha and Danny Denzongpa  were among  the first one in Mumbai to organize a rally against it. Late Jayaprakash Narayan raised the banner of revolt against Indira Gandhi which finally led to emergency. We all know that actors Sunil Dutt, Nargis, Shatrughan Sinha, Raj Babbar and others made a successful transition to politics. They were doing things which was not a part of their forte but a reflection of their social responsibility. Why Shah Rukh Khan did not oppose when Govinda was given a Congress ticket in 2004? SRK's proximity to the Gandhi family is not a secret. Why did he not tell Sonia Gandhi that Govinda is just an actor and he should just remain an actor. If he had done that, considering Govinda's level of intelligence, he would have done a service to the country.

Shah Rukh Khan has to realise that there is a thing called social responsibility. If you have money, social responsibility should also be supported by philanthrophic activities. SRK is estimated to be worth $555 million but I have never heard his name associated with any charitable work. He should realise that India is fine if he does not have these traits but he should not become an impediment for those people who are trying to think outside the box and trying to do something for the country. These people are the agents of change and are the impetus for others to think and join the movement against corruption. I am not a personal follower of Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev and others like him but I am for all those people who are trying to bring any societal change. SRK should realise that there is more to life than putting your arms around Kajol, Rani Mukherjee and dancing around trees or on the top of a mountain. It is very easy to dress like a NASA scientist (Movie - Swades) but it is very hard to think like one. Until he gets hit by a stroke of intelligence and a sense of social responsibility, he should learn to keep his mouth shut. India can live without his irresponsible utterances. Even if this never happens, he still has Kajol and Rani Mukherjee to dance with and he can always perform at the private parties of big industrialists to augment his income. As a matter of fact, it is rather naive and stupid on our part to expect an intelligent analysis from a person who performs at these parties for money.

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