SC pulls up Ramdev, says must restrain from abusing other systems of medicine

• Image Credit: Internet

• Aug 23, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

 Digital Desk: Ramdev must refrain from "abusing" allopathy and
other medical systems, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, criticising the yoga
master for disparaging physicians and allopathy while praising Patanjali goods.

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 allopathy 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 everyone of their illnesses? Justices Hima Kohli and CT Ravi Kumar were
also on the bench.

Advocate Prabhas
Bajaj, appearing for IMA, adduced before the bench advertisements in which
Patanjali purportedly blamed allopathy for leading to deaths and incurable
diseases, adding many of these were printed during the second Covid-19 wave.

How is it possible for
Ramdev to accuse all doctors of being murderers, the CJI questioned. All
publications have sizable advertising. He cannot mistreat physicians and other
medical practises. It's better that he can't take advantage of other systems.

The IMA expressed
concern about statements made in Ramdev and Patanjali's print and television
commercials that disparaged allopathy 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 allopathy. 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.

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.