Prachanda, fellow Maoists flock to Ramdev’s camp

Notwithstanding his anti-India outbursts, Nepal’s Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ seems to have developed an affinity with Indian yoga guru Ramdev, reports Utpal Parashar.

Updated on: Mar 29, 2010, 07:59:42 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Notwithstanding his anti-India outbursts, Nepal’s Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ seems to have developed an affinity with Indian yoga guru Ramdev.

Yoga enthusiasts attending Ramdev’s camp in Kathmandu were surprised to find the former prime minister in their midst on Monday morning and performing ‘asanas’ and ‘pranayams’.

“This is a happy coincidence as Maoism and spiritualism has come together. It will strengthen nationalism,” said Ramdev hinting at Prachanda’s campaign for Nepal’s resurgence.

Maoist central committee member Hisila Yami who was also present informed that during the 10-year civil war, she and other comrades living in jungles had resorted to yoga to keep fit.

“Civil war was needed to remove monarchy and restore democracy. There’s no need to go to jungles again,” said Ramdev hinting at Prachanda’s comments on possibility of another people’s revolt.

He also spoke on a range of issues from potential of hydro-electricity in Nepal to stopping use of fertilizers in cultivation.

“We are against MNCs and foreign products and even Leftists support us on this issue,” he said as a smiling Prachanda clapped in between his breathing exercises.

Ramdev’s camp has also attracted President Ram Baran Yadav and Chairman of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (UML) Jhalanath Khanal.

In recent months, the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) chief has launched an anti-India tirade blaming the southern neighbour of interference in Nepal’s politics and sovereignty.

Prachanda’s party, the main opposition in parliament, is attempting to topple the ruling coalition government blaming it of being the biggest obstacle in the peace and constitution drafting processes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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