KOCHI: Isolated movements by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev may not have the desired impact, Bengali writer and Jnanpith award winner Mahasweta Devi has said.She, however, added that if Baba Ramdev's fast could influence some people and create some kind of impact among the public, then it is good. "People will think about it," she said.In an interview with Express in Kochi, she said it should be ensured that all the frenzy associated with Ramdev's fasting and similar movements should not take away the focus from real issues like corruption.Referring to the hunger strike staged by Ramdev, she said "Mahatma Gandhi used to observe fast. If they (Anna Hazare and Ramdev) believe something can be done by fast, then it is good."Elections and democracy are a better way for change rather than going for campaigns like that of Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev, she said.On whether such movements would serve its actual purpose, Mahasweta Devi replied in the negative."They are doing it for the aam admi (common man). Whether it is in Singur or Nandigram, the common man do not voluntarily go for violence, they resist it," she added.On whether the recent power shift in Bengal will make a sudden change, she said: "I don't believe in magic. It is just that Mamata Banerjee speaks the language of common man. People can relate to her. Somehow, people trust her and that is important. Women go to her with their complaints. She tries to fulfil whatever she commits. Mamata is very positive.""Writers are also social beings. Whatever affects society is applicable for them too. One has to sympathise with such issues. Or else, they are not human beings," she said.
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