The war of words between the Indian Medical Association and Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev took another turn as the IMA on May 24 wrote a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat to “take strict action” against Yog Guru Baba Ramdev for his remarks on allopathy.
Indian Medical Association (IMA) Uttararanchal State Branch writes to Uttarakhand CM Tirath Singh Rawat against Yog Guru Ramdev’s statements against allopathic medical profession & medical profession, “hoping for a prompt and strict action” against him. pic.twitter.com/1wUdOHkOXs
— ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2021
It is imperative to note that Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth, the largest yoga institution of India is located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. A large part of Patanjali’s manufacturing units is also located in Uttarakhand.
The letter addressed to the CM suggests that Baba Ramdev’s derogatory remarks have ‘demoralized’ and ‘angered’ the medical fraternity. As a corrective and damage control measure, IMA has urged the state government to take ‘prompt and strict action’ against Baba Ramdev.
It is not clear as to what action the Indian Medical Association wants the Uttarakhand government to take against Baba Ramdev.
IMA objects to Baba Ramdev’s statements
In a video that went viral on social media, Ramdev could be heard saying that allopathy is a hollow practice and that many people have lost their lives due to allopathic medicines.
To this, the Indian Medical Association took strong objection and even threatened to move Court if the Union Health Ministry does not take cognizance of the remarks made by Ramdev. Post which the Health Ministry had issued a letter to Ramdev directing him to retract his statements.
संपूर्ण देशवासियों के लिए #COVID19 के खिलाफ़ दिन-रात युद्धरत डॉक्टर व अन्य स्वास्थ्यकर्मी देवतुल्य हैं।
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) May 23, 2021
बाबा @yogrishiramdev जी के वक्तव्य ने कोरोना योद्धाओं का निरादर कर,देशभर की भावनाओं को गहरी ठेस पहुंचाई।
मैंने उन्हें पत्र लिखकर अपना आपत्तिजनक वक्तव्य वापस लेने को कहा है। pic.twitter.com/QBXCdaRQb1
The letter was ironically also signed by the National President of the IMA Dr JA Jayalal who wanted to use the platform of the Indian Medical Association as a springboard to share the “love of Jesus Christ” and be a “living witness to God and encourage young medical students and doctors to receive Jesus as their personal saviour”.
IMA issues press release over a video on social media where Yog Guru Ramdev allegedly speaks against Allopathy. IMA demands that the “Union Health Minister either accept accusation & dissolve modern medical facility or prosecute him and book him under Epidemic Diseases Act.” pic.twitter.com/FnqUefGjQA
— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2021
Baba Ramdev questions IMA and pharma companies
Baba Ramdev too launched an attack on the Indian Medical Association on May 24 firing 25 pointed questions at them. With these questions, Ramdev tried to highlight the shortcomings of allopathy with him asking for permanent solutions to some of the most common diseases.
मैं इंडियन मेडिकल एसोसिएशन व फार्मा कंपनियों से विनम्रता के साथ सीधे 25 सवाल पूछता हूँ- pic.twitter.com/ATVKlDc9tl
— स्वामी रामदेव (@yogrishiramdev) May 24, 2021
Taking a sly at the ongoing debate, Ramdev also asked if allopathy has any treatment for the growing hatred and violence and also a cure that can put an end to the fight between allopathy and Ayurveda.
Patanjali Yogpeeth
Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar is one of the largest yoga institutes in India that offers treatment and research in Yoga and Ayurveda. The property is equipped with an OPD which caters to 6 to 10 thousand patients every day, an I.P.D. of one hundred beds, Panchkarma and Shatkarma Clinics & Research Centres, Ayurvedic Surgery & Research Centre, Diagnostics & Research Centre.
