Medical Fraternity slams Ramdev for mocking Allopathy, demands prosecution of Yoga Guru under Epidemics Act

IMA cited a recent video of Ramdev which is viral on social media. In the video, Ramdev is allegedly heard saying, "Allopathy ek aisi stupid and diwaliya science hai."

He also claimed that "lakhs of people have died after taking allopathic medicines" and that Remdesivir, Faviflu, and all other drugs approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) failed in treating Covid-19.

''When such idolized persons are making vitriolic comments, questioning the authority and integrity of the whole architecture of health ministry, the Hon Health Minister, who is a practising Modern Medicine allopathic postgraduate and head of this ministry, should either accept the challenge and accusation of this gentleman and dissolve the modern medical facility or boldly face and prosecute the persons for his words of arson on the sovereignty of the country and book him under the Epidemic Act to save millions of people from such unscientific utterances,'' said IMA National President Dr JA Jayalal and Honorary Secretary General Dr Jayesh Lele in a strongly-worded statement.

Terming the Yoga Guru as "a corporate giant of a pharmaceutical unit", the association mentioned the instance of a criminal complaint lodged against him in Muzaffarpur court by a social worker for misleading and putting to risk the lives of a large number of people, as a proof to his misadventures.

IMA further alleged that all this is being done by Ramdev so that he can sell his illegal and unapproved so-called medicines and make money at the cost of the public at large.

"Enough is enough," IMA said slamming the Yoga Guru for " Taking people for ransom, selling them weird ideology, and winning business by defaming scientific medicine are unpardonable offences. Such untutored and unlearned statements are a threat to the literate society of the country as well as to the poor people falling prey to him."

IMA added, "Ramdev deserves to be prosecuted for disobeying and cause danger to the life of many by making them believe and make them not to take the advice of allopathy drugs. His quote about Favipiravir as medicine against fever/antipyretic is laughable, childish, and demonstrates his in-depth scientific knowledge."

Subsequently, seeking Suo moto action against Baba Ramdev, IMA threatened to take legal action themselves if the issue is not resolved by the authorities, adding that, " The Healthcare of the country should be handled by a professional in a professional way. Treating unscientific illiteracy with deaf ears and blind eyes is hardly professionalism."

Meanwhile, the Dwarka (Delhi) unit of IMA in a statement said, "His derogatory & unparliamentary words against Doctors are uncalled for & has demotivated the whole fraternity during these tough times. Medical Doctors are fighting as front lines soldiers and are leaving no stone unturned to help humankind to fight this COVID menace."

They also added that "self-proclaimed businessmen baba" is spreading hatred, misinformation regarding science and also damaging crucial doctor–patient relationships.

Safdarjung Hospital and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College's Resident Doctors' Association also came down heavily on Baba Ramdev's "Derogatory and demeaning" comments.

Further, the Resident Doctors' Association, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh demanded swift and concrete legal action along with an unconditional public apology from Baba Ramdev to Modern Medicines and its practitioners.