Unlocking
Word Meanings
Read
the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. crack
down (idiom) [krak] [doun] – to take serious
actions against someone or something (as in a criminal or a crime)
Example: The government needs to crack down on the use of drugs among the youth.
Example: The government needs to crack down on the use of drugs among the youth.
2. guru
(n.) [goor-oo, goo-roo] – an influential teacher or popular expert
Example:
Robert Kiyosaki is a finance guru.
3. corruption
(n.) [kuh-ruhp-shuhn] – dishonest actions
Example:
Bribery is one of the most common acts of corruption.
4. raid
(n.) [reyd] – a sudden or unexpected attack
Example:
Authorities usually do raids to catch
individuals involved in illegal activities like drug use or drug pushing.
5. high-handed
(adj.) [hahy] [han-did] - using power or authority without considering the feelings of
others
Example:
The activists oppose the high-handed
takeover of the government.
Article
Read
the text below.
Police
officers cracked down on a hunger protest led by
India’s leading yoga guru
Baba Ramdev. Fifty thousand followers of Ramdev attended the said strike aimed
at fighting corruption in India’s government.
In the
report, approximately 40 people and two dozen police got injured during the
said attack. Ramdev was taken away from the protest site and was sent back to
his main office in Haridwar, Northern India.
Government
officials explained that the raid was lawful because Ramdev did not have
permission to carry out a hunger strike. He originally asked a permit to set up
a yoga camp for 5,000 participants only.
However,
Ramdev accused the police and the government of being high-handed. He vowed to continue his protest in order to
fight the continuing corruption of which the Indian prime minister and his
officials are being accused.
Some of the
accusations involve the unfair selling of government licenses, inconsistent
financial reports and illegal use of government benefits.
Despite his
good intentions, Ramdev has received attacks from his critics and some members
of Congress. They question his wealthy lifestyle and accuse him of deceiving
millions of his supporters.
Viewpoint
Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
What other forms
of protest can you think of?
·
Are there any
other ways for people to express themselves without doing a protest?
Discussion B
·
In what ways do
you think you can practice ‘freedom of speech’?
·
Should there be
limitations to this right?
