When Swami Baba Ramdev broke his fast on the ninth day, I was not amused. I always knew he would not die but would live to fight another battle or continue the battle another day. The battle is to bring back the black money stacked abroad and to curb corruption. I wish him all success.

I was surprised to read in newspapers and hear on TV that he was getting weaker and weaker by the hour so soon after he began his fast. I thought, being a Yoga Guru who practices what he preaches and teaches to millions of his followers, he would take fasting for a long time with zest and zeal. No, he turned out to be like any man whether practicing yoga like him or not practicing yoga like me. Yoga did not seem to have kept him going during fast — his health was failing and spirit too was flagging.

The irony is that the UPA government led by Congress simply ignored him after he was sent packing to his Ashram in Haridwar. He almost looked left alone and forlorn with his "movement against black money" losing its fire - power that was seen at Ramlila grounds on the 4th of this month.

It is sad Baba Ramdev did not acquit himself creditably when the Police went to take him into custody at the Ramlila ground on June 5 — running away, disguising himself in woman's clothes, hiding among his women followers. Why? The whole country would have been proud of him and stood by him if only he had willingly allowed the Police to take him away while himself appealing to the people there to disperse peacefully. I remember George Fernandes defeating S. K. Patil, the kingmaker of Bombay, while in jail. His election poster had the picture of George with his hand - cuffed arms raised high. Such should be the indomitable spirit of a fighter to win.

Remember Gandhiji giving a call to halt the Quit India Movement when he found it was turning violent? Did Gandhiji ever resist arrest or go underground? That is the very reason why Gandhiji is Mahatma. "For generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked on this earth," said Albert Einstein. How true!

Fortunately, Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji's arrival helped him find a face - saving opportunity to save himself from dying of hunger, not as much a martyr for a cause as for a lost cause.

Our great epic Ramayana has an interesting episode where Rama's step - brother Bharatha threatens Rama, who was exiled to the forest, saying that he would go on a hunger - strike if Rama does not return to rule Ayodhya. The noble Rama gave a benign smile at the blackmailing tactics of his brother and told him to get lost, asking him (which is an order not to be disobeyed) to go to Ayodhya and hold the fort till his return. Probably, Kapil Sibal played the role of Rama here on 5th morning at Ramlila ground to outwit Ramdev's Bharatha act.

In our country, fasting is done for religious reasons by people belonging to different religions. Therefore, it is not new. However, fasting for blackmailing or to achieve one's demands under duress, where a person cannot otherwise fight and win has been practiced since time immemorial all over the world. Fasting to atone for one's sins by noble souls is also known to be practiced in the past. But these days, like sale of indulgence by the Catholic Church in the medieval period, people give charity for noble causes to get remission of their sins.

In India, it was Mahatma Gandhi who popularised fasting as a weapon to fight the enemy or to get what one desired from another person or authority, say Government. Gandhiji, no doubt picked up this weapon he called Satyagraha, 'self-assertion for truth', from the white man. It is a moral battle. Gandhiji was lucky. The fair - minded and even sometimes compassionate British once released him from jail after 21 days of his fast – unto - death hunger strike inside the jail. Later, Gandhiji went on hunger strike for various causes. Once even Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was moved to agree to Gandhiji's demand as he was on fast – unto - death Satyagraha at Yerawada Jail, Pune, to save his life.

Later, many imitated Gandhiji and like him, due to timely intervention, none died. It was only the unfortunate Potti Sriramulu who undertook a fast - unto - death to get a Telugu - speaking Andhra Pradesh, and died on Dec.16, 1952. When he went on fast, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was cold towards his fasting; but 82 days into his fasting Potti Sriramulu died. And, of course, a linguistic State, Andhra Pradesh, was born. Later, following the recommendation of the State Reorganisation Committee, linguistic States were formed on Nov. 1, 1956.

Fasting by way of hunger strike was first reported from America in 1774. Some Americans had sat on hunger strike when the colonial British government closed the Port of Boston following the agitation against taxation, known as the “Boston Tea Party” about which we have read in history. I figure Gandhiji must have got the idea of fasting for a cause from the Americans.

There is also a case history of a freedom fighter Jatin Das who at 25, was the youngest person to fast-unto-death. His cause was not freedom as such. He was no doubt jailed for his revolutionary activities; but in jail he found the conditions deplorable. So he refused to eat till conditions improved. Conditions did not improve and after 63 days of fasting, he died. Gandhiji might have had Jatin Das too in mind in adopting fasting as a weapon of Satyagraha.

Now, to return to Baba Ramdev, he should not make himself a laughing stock by giving up his fast – unto - death Satyagraha without achieving the goal. It is surprising Baba Ramdev, who boasts about the efficacy of yoga to cure even cancer, could not stand even a few days of fasting while Jatin Das survived for 63 days and Potti Sriramulu for 82 days. It is curious; our latter day heroes of fast-unto-death soon look for escape - routes from the inevitable death. Yes, they end up agreeing to a promise from the authorities (which will remain a promise anyway) or give up fast in deference to the wishes of a great man. For example, Baba Ramdev giving up his fast – unto - death in deference to the wishes of Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji.

Let us remember, JP who launched his “Total Revolution” movement that led to the declaration of Emergency did not go on fast – unto - death. Because the Britishers were sensitive, Gandhiji's Satyagraha of fast – unto - death worked. Do you think today's government is sensitive? Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev must be careful before deciding on their next fast – unto - death.

Hey Ram. Sound and fury signifying nothing.