Delhi High Court issues notice to Ramdev for his remarks on allopathy
The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to yoga practitioner and Patanjali founder Ramdev for his remarks on allopathy and modern medicine. Two weeks back, a petition was also filed by the Resident Doctors Association of AIIMS in this regard. Details here.
In a video circulating on social media, Ramdev was seen mocking the approved allopathy drugs. Image used for representation purpose. Photo: Pinterest
Today, on July 30, the Delhi High Court has issued a notice to yoga guru and Patanjali founder Ramdev for allegedly ‘spreading misinformation’ against allopathy and allopathic doctors in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic. The matter is expected to be heard by the Court on August 10.
This notice is in response to a petition filed by the Resident Doctors Association of the Delhi-based All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) against Ramdev for allegedly spreading misinformation through his statements against allopathy. This petition was filed two weeks back on July 15.
The association had alleged in the plea that the misinformation campaign was nothing but an ‘advertisement’ and ‘marketing strategy’ to ramp up the sales of the Ramdev’s Coronil that is claimed to be an alternative for COVID19 treatment.
Also Read: IMA vs Ramdev: What is the controversy all about?
The association added that the ‘misinformation campaign’ alleging ill-effects and lack of efficacy of allopathy during the COVID19 pandemic have the tendency to divert people from the allopathic treatments prescribed as the standard form of care even by the Indian government. This, therefore, is in violation of the right to health of citizens, the association noted.
It had stated that with the possible ‘third wave’ of COVID19 likely to set in the next month in August and it is crucial that Ramdev’s ‘misinformation campaign’ be brought to a halt.
For over two months, both the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and yoga practitioner Ramdev were embroiled in a public spat. The doctors’ association has alleged that the yoga guru has made derogatory comments about allopathic drugs.
Also Read: ‘Enough is enough’: IMA demands action against Ramdev under the Epidemic Act
On May 22, the IMA had written to Health Minister Harsh Vardhan pointing out how Ramdev had allegedly called allopathy a ‘stupid science’ and ‘disobeyed’ approved allopathy drugs. Even then the doctor’s association had demanded action under the Epidemics Act, 1897.
On May 25, the Uttarakhand chapter of IMA warned that if Ramdev doesn’t tender a written apology within the next 15 days and posts a video countering the statements given by him, then a sum of Rs 1,000 crores will be demanded from him as defamation suit.
A nationwide ‘black day’ protest was also organised on June 1 against Ramdev, who is also the owner of Patanjali Ayurved.