Balkrishan has been Baba's alter ego for 19 years

NEW DELHI: Ramdev's second-in-command Acharya Balkrishan, who resurfaced on Tuesday evening after three days, has been associated with the yoga guru for about 19 years. His contemporaries at Kalba Gurukul in Haryana's Jind recalled that Balkrishna had come to Panipat from Nepal when he was about 14. He had joined Kalba Gurkul in 1990-91.

A close friend from their formative years recounted that Balkrishan was brought to the Gurukul by one Suresh, a sub divisional officer of electricity department.

"We had heard that Balkrishna had worked as a cook for a few days at Suresh's residence. Suresh had sensed that Balkrishan was a bright chap, and brought him to the Gurukul," said the source, who is now working as an Acharya with a gurukul in Maharashtra.

When Balkrishan joined Kalba Gurukul, Baba Ramdev was already there. Earlier, Ramdev had studied in Khanpur Gurukul in his native district, Mahendragarh.

Balkrishan had left after two years for Haridwar, where he met one Karambir, who was teaching yoga at an ashram managed by Swami Shankardev. Karambir hailed from western UP. "Soon Balkrishan joined Karambir.

He would visit Kalba Gurukul, and convince Ramdev to join him in the ashram since he could sing well," said one of their old friends. Ramdev left for Haridwar in 1994-95. Those who know the meteoric growth of the duo said, both Ramdev and Balkrishan taught yoga at Swami Shankardev's ashram. Later, Swami Shankardev set up Divya Yog Mandir in Haridwar.

Sources said around 2005, Shankardev wished to hand over the reins of his ashram and Divya Yog Mandir to one of his aides. Though Karambir was chosen, he turned it down citing renunciation from materialistic life.

"Baba Ramdev grabbed the opportunity, and volunteered to take up the task. Later, this created a rift between Karambir and Ramdev," said sources. And, Swami Shankardev died under mysterious circumstances in 2009.

Balkrishna owns licenced firearms like pistol and rifle. Ramdev, however, on Tuesday defended the possession of these firearms, citing Acharya's 'safety' and 'security'.