Hailing him as a trendsetter who is now bound to give “sleepless nights” to the doyens of security services, others described Ramdev as a living dynamo whose life story must be a part of academic curriculum across educational institutions.

Nevertheless, various comments on social media have been critical of Ramdev and his entry into security business. They see private security firm as a “a business spin to his own army.”

Besides, speculation are rife that Ramdev may now give up his Z plus security and other para-military troopers that guard his headquarters and business establishments.

Retired scientist Amitabha Basu wrote on his Facebook wall: “Is this godman-turned-businessman entering the lucrative security business, or is he raising a Hindutvavadi vigilante army?”

Nikhil Udupa posted on Facebook: “Baba Ramdev is venturing into the business of private security. So now the gau rakshaks will get jobs and end this nonsense or we might just get a new well trained right-wing militia out for hire. Exciting times ahead.”

Avdhash Kaushal, an academic and activist told National Herald: “Ramdev is an insecure man. He has started his own security agency just to secure his future.”

Commenting on the dramatic rise of his business enterprise, the Padamshree awardee and a native further said, “His business dramatically boomed in a very short span that raises many doubts. He has been getting unaccounted money and free of cost land from the government. But Ramdev knows that he may not get such favours in future.”

When contacted, local Left leader Samar Bhandari said: “I am very amused to discover that a saint feels insecure. Let’s wait and watch how things unfold in the days to come.”

Patanjali Ayurved—which has nearly 5,000 retail outlets across India—posted a turnover of over Rs 10,500 crore for the last fiscal year. Ramdev’s Patanjali, according to ANI, has made him the 25th richest person in India with Rs 25,600 crore of wealth.

“In May, the company (Patanjali Ayurved) said it was looking at a 10-fold jump in sales in the next five years. Set up in 2006, Patanjali has ventured into food retail, restaurants and apparel. Recently, it announced a school for the children of martyred soldiers,” an NDTV report says, adds referring to a study, “over five million security guards are believed to be working across the country, employed by some 1,500 companies. The business is projected to grow at around 40 per cent rate.”

Many Ramdev critiques, however, are wondering if this too shall be another ‘charitable and tax-free business’ of the Patanjali conglomerate?