Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday drew flak from the Supreme Court for “discrediting” the practice of modern medicine Allopathy and also questioning the efficacy of COVID 19 vaccines through various advertisements recently.
Issuing notice to him, Centre’s Ayush ministry and others, the apex court sought their response while hearing a Public Interest Petition (PIL) which sought the authorities to take action against Ramdev and his organisation Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd. for spreading such misinformations for their vested interests.
Chief Justice of Indian (CJI) N V Ramana led three-judges bench strongly observed ” he (Ramdev) should not criticise the other system. Why is he accusing all the doctors ?”
“We all go to his Yoga programs. He can popularise his system but should not criticise other systems,” Justice Ramana said and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to accept notice on behalf of the Central Government.
“He must restrain from accusing the doctors practicing allopathy and other systems,” the bench also said while hearing a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association before it.
Appearing for the petitioner association, advocate Prabhash Bajaj, assisted by Advocate Amarjeet Singh, argued that there is a continuous synchronised/concerted campaign against the professionals in modern medicine.
Referring to an advertisement issued by the Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd. of Ramdev on July 10, the counsel submitted that “they can promote their own products but can not continuously spread misinformations regarding allopathy.”
The lawyer also pointed out that the press conference held by Ramdev on June 23, 2020 during the peak COVID 19 time and “false claim” about the company’s drug CORONIL to cure COVID which was later rejected by the central government.
Such false claims and continuous attempts to spread misinformation is violative of common man’s rights under Article 21 of the Constitution, the lawyer argued.
The petitioner prayed for action against Ramdev and his organisation in accordance with law.
“Pass order directing the respondents to immediately take strict and prompt action, in accordance with law for violation of provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act,” as per the petition.
“Pass an order prohibiting the Respondent No 5-PAtanjali Ayurveda Ltd. from issuing such advertisement to the effect of making impermissible/illegal/defamatory statements against the members of petitioner association…,” it was also prayed.
