SC Slams Ramdev over plea by IMA, says he shouldn't criticize other systems of medicine

New Delhi: Slamming the Baba Ramdev for his derogatory statements against modern medicine system and its doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned him why the "Yoga Guru" must criticize other systems.

The bench comprising of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Hima Kohli and CT Ravikumar observed, "What happened to Baba Ramdev? He can popularise his system, but why should he criticise other systems.We all respect him, he popularized yoga but he shouldn't criticize other systems. What is the guarantee that his system will work? He cannot refuse doctor system. He must exercise restraint in abusing other systems."

Such observations came from the bench while it was considering a plea made by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which sought to control the derogatory statements and "smear campaign" by the Yoga Guru against the vaccination drive and modern medicines.

Opining that systems such as Yoga, which was popularised by Baba Ramdev, might not always proved to be effective, the top court bench slammed the Yoga Guru and also issued notice to the Union Government, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Advertising Standards Council of India, Central Consumer Protection Authority of India and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd(the company run by Ramdev).

Issuing a Statement in this regard, IMA mentioned, "IMA hq has moved a petition against Ramdev giving huge misleading advertisements. Notice issued to him. IMA through its adv Bajaj had handed over enlarged color prints of the Ads, Court went through them, then all statements on Vaccination etc."

"Oral observations made by the Court that Swami Ramdev must restrain from making such statements. Why should he mock doctors for promoting his goods? This would require consideration. Solicitor General was requested to accept Notice on behalf of the Union which he accepted," added the Association.

The battle between the medical fraternity and Baba Ramdev has been going on for the last one and half years. During the course of this battle, several ugly and defamatory remarks were made, that resulted in a series FIRs being filed against the "yoga guru" and case proceedings eventually began.

Also Read: Doctors Vs Ramdev: A battle of pathies or Fight for Coronil?

Last year Ramdev had moved to the Apex Court seeking the clubbing and consolidation of the FIRs lodged against him. He had also sought protection from coercive actions in FIRs lodged by Indian Medical Associations' (IMA) Patna and Raipur branches, transfer of FIRs to Delhi, and stay of the proceedings.

In an impleadment application before the top court, the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) had claimed that "Ramdev shockingly started a false propaganda against COVID-19 vaccines and the treatment protocol for COVID-19 approved by the Central Govt. itself, with the mala fide intent to promote the sale of products namely "Coronil", "Swasari Vati" and "Anu Taila" manufactured by his company "Patanjali Ayurved Ltd."

Later several associations had moved to the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the Yoga guru's sustained misinformation campaign. Recently the Delhi High Court while adjudicating in favour of Patanjali's product Coronil told Baba Ramdev to not mislead the public by making statements against allopathy even though he is entitled to have followers and people who believe in what he says. The court asked him to not say anything more than what the authorities had stated about Patanjali's product Coronil.

Expressing concern over the public interest at large, Justice Bhambhani remarked, "As I've said from the very beginning, my concern is only one. You are welcome to have your followers, you're welcome to have your disciples, and you're welcome to have people who will believe whatever you say. But please do not mislead the public at large by saying what is more than what the official…."

Also Read: Delhi HC slams Baba Ramdev for misleading public against Allopathy by saying more than what is official

As per the latest media report by Live Law, recently the Indian Medical Association has approached the Supreme Court arguing against the "disparaging" statements made by Ayush companies. The counsel for IMA claimed that such statements were misleading the general public.

The IMA counsel Advocate Prabhas Bajaj was quoted saying by Bar and Bench, "The kind of disparaging statements made and the public is being misguided. We made representations, and no answer. Government also knows about such misleading ads by Ayush companies etc...They say that doctors were taking allopathy, but still succumbing during the COVID wave. If this happens unbated, then it will cause serious prejudice to us."

Agreeing with the counsel, Justice Ravikumar was quoted noting, "It appears like allopathy is being mocked at."

Apart from control over the "smear campaign" and negative advertisements against the vaccination drive and modern medicines, the association also sought directions upon the Centre, ASCI, and the CCPA for taking action against such advertisements and campaigns for promoting Ayush system by disparaging Allopathic system.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr J A Jayalal, Immediate Past National President of IMA said, "It is the policy of IMA always to give right information to the Public. When someone who is a celebrity comes out with an information which is detrimental for the healthcare of people, IMA always stands to oppose that- whether in the time of COVID or afterwards. We are not against any system of medicine. We welcome them and expect them to grow but somebody who is interested in their business motif and trying to ridicule other system and give false information to people that whatever is the disease we will give a cure, that is not a good thing because it will result in people suffering a lot. Till the last minute they will not be taking appropriate medicine."

"We do not want to make a claim that it is only modern medicine that is superior- that is not our intention at all. Whatever the system whether it is Ayurveda, Homeopathy or modern medicine, a proper investigation and proper follow up of the medication is necessary for the people to get the cure. We dont believe in any miracle or instant cure," he said.

"As per the Constitution and the rules and regulations of the country, no one has the right to give false information to people regarding that. On that ground we approached the Supreme Court. Honorable Supreme Court heard our petition and has given their comments that no one has the right to give false information. I think this is a good gesture from the Supreme Court. I believe that people who are concerned will take it in the proper sense and they will restrain themselves from doing such acts," he added.

Also Read: Submit Original Video, Transcripts of 'allopathy' remark: Supreme Court tells Baba Ramdev