Ramdev ‘withdraws’ allopathy remarks after huge row, Health Minister’s letter

Baba Ramdev on Sunday withdrew his statements on allopathic and modern medicines after receiving a strong-worded letter from Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan who called his remarks “inappropriate”.

“We do not oppose modern medical science and allopathy. We believe that allopathy has shown immense progress in surgery and the lifesaving system and served humanity. My statement that has been quoted was part of a WhatsApp message that I was reading during a meeting of volunteers. I am sorry if it has hurt anyone’s sentiment,” wrote Ramdev in his letter to the Union Health Minister in Hindi.

“Underlining the demerits of a medical system should not be considered as an attack on it. This is not at all opposed to science. Everyone should be progressive while evaluating themselves. Similarly, some allopathic doctors must not disrespect Ayurveda and Yoga, the Indian medical system by calling it ‘pseudo science’. This also hurts the sentiments of crores of people,” he said.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan asked yoga guru Ramdev to withdraw remarks that seemed to suggest that more people died of modern medical treatments during the Covid-19 crisis than the coronavirus itself.

“The people of the country are very hurt with your remark on allopathic medicines. I have already told about this feeling over phone. Doctors and health workers are like gods for the people of the country for whom they are fighting against the coronavirus on war footing,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

His remarks prompted the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to send him a legal notice, demanding a written apology and withdrawal of the statement.

In a video that was widely shared on social media, Ramdev is heard saying at a recent event, “Lakhs of people have died because of allopathic medicines, far more than those who died because they did not get treatment or oxygen.” He also allegedly called allopathy a “stupid and bankrupt” science. The Sunday Guardian, however, cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The IMA had earlier said the Union Health Ministry should take action and prosecute Ramdev under the Epidemic Diseases Act. “Union Health Minister either accept the accusation and dissolve modern medical facility or prosecute him and book him under Epidemic Diseases Act,” it said.