The Supreme Court chided Ramdev on Tuesday for disparaging physicians and allopathy while praising Patanjali products, saying that he must refrain from “abusing” both of these medical systems.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana issued notices to the Union government and Patanjali Ayurved in response to a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The bench objected to the content of several advertisements Patanjali had released that mocked allopath and blamed it for illnesses and deaths.
“Why should he mistreat medical professionals and other medical systems? Because he has advocated yoga, he has our admiration. He is unable to critique other systems, nevertheless. What is the assurance that the treatment he is promoting will heal every one of their illnesses?” Justices Hima Kohli and CT Ravi Kumar were also on the bench.
In his testimony on behalf of IMA, attorney Prabhas Bajaj presented advertisements that Patanjali allegedly claimed were printed during the second Covid-19 wave and purportedly accused allopathy for causing fatalities and incurable ailments.
Also Read: Mahatma Gandhi statue vandalized in New York, Hindus agitated
How can he [Ramdev] accuse all doctors as though they are murderers, the CJI questioned. In every newspaper, there are sizable adverts. He cannot mistreat medical professionals or other medical systems. It’s preferable that he be forced to refrain from abusing other systems.
The IMA expressed concern about statements made in Ramdev and Patanjali’s print and television commercials that disparaged allopath and levelled various divisive allegations against those who practised alternative medical systems.
These commercials were published at the height of the second Covid-19 wave and many of them blame lakhs of fatalities on allopath. In defiance of the Union Health Ministry’s own recommendations, they even assert that they can cure diabetes and high blood pressure, Bajaj said.
He noted that IMA complained to the Ayush ministry, and that ministry concurred that these advertisements were deceptive. Despite acknowledging that the advertisements are misleading the public, nothing has been done, according to Bajaj, and his smear campaign continues.
The bench instructed solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who was present in court for another case, to receive notice on the Center’s behalf after hearing from IMA.
Also Read: Shoaib Akhtar reveals bizarre team meeting, says “We targeted Ganguly on his ribs”
Ramdev was reprimanded by the Delhi High Court last week for “misleading the public” with his assertions regarding the Covid-19 vaccinations and was urged to stop making unfounded claims about the Coronil product from Patanjali.
“You are welcome to have your supporters, disciples, and believers, but don’t deceive the public by claiming things that aren’t true… Ayurveda’s good repute must be preserved but at the same time, we also want to make sure that no one is misinformed about allopathy,” the high court stated on August 17.
In a case brought by doctors’ organizations, charging Ramdev of deceiving the public by casting doubt on the effectiveness of therapies like Covid vaccines, the court made the observation.
