I have never been a great believer of Gandhiji's satyagraha, especially the fast unto death ones. It perhaps would have worked against a particulary opposition (The British) at a particular time (independence struggle). And, sometimes I have wondered whether the efficacy of the Satyagraha as a tool, even for Gandhiji, has been magnified and exaggerated as years passed by.
These thoughts again flashed through my mind at the fast unto death of Telengana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leader K Chandrasekhara Rao. Poor guy! He started the fast 10 days ago demanding a separate Telengana State, quite an emotional issue in Coastal Andhra Pradesh. That he hardly did anything during his tenure as Minister under UPA government 1 is public knowledge. Rao, looks like started the fast on the understanding that Government will come up with something within 24 hours and he could end the fast. He was arrested promptly, and there were reports that he broke his fast the next day, as planned. That is when the script was changed for the poor fellow. His TRS youth were furious and saw through his game. They demanded that he continue the fast pending major concessions from the Government. The fast has entered the 10th day, Rao's health condition is critical, but he is in no situation to stop it on his own. And he has no clue as to how to get out of this with a face saving formula.
This is known as 'calling one's bluff'
I wish many more politicians, many such bluffs are called by the people to teach them a lesson
