"Cure" for coronavirus: Case filed against Patanjali's Ramdev and Balkrishna
What's the story
Soon after Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, who is the head honcho of Patanjali Ayurved, claimed the organization has found a cure for coronavirus, a case was filed against him in a court in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
Ramdev's close aide Balkrishna was also named. The duo was accused of misleading the public by claiming their medicine cures COVID-19, the disease which has killed 480,238 worldwide.
Context
Ramdev claimed a medicine named Coronil "cures" COVID-19
In a much-publicized event in Haridwar on Tuesday, Ramdev declared that "Coronil" cures coronavirus, within seven days.
Containing Ayurvedic items like Tulsi, Ghiloy, and Ashwagandha, the product has been clinically tested and was in the making since December, Patanjali claimed. The evidence was promised to be released in 4-5 days.
Though it wasn't available anywhere, Ramdev said Patanjali stores would provide it soon.
Case
Their claims have serious repercussions, said the complainant
As the claim created a stir, activist Tamanna Hashmi approached CJM Mukesh Kumar's court with a complaint against Ramdev and Balkrishna.
The complaint pointed out that AYUSH Ministry halted the product's advertisement.
They were accused of hatching a conspiracy to keep AYUSH Ministry in the dark. Their claims endanger the lives of millions, the complainant alleged.
The court will now take up the matter.
Statement
While Ramdev advertised the product, AYUSH Ministry sought more information
Yesterday, while Ramdev was busy in televised interviews, claiming how Coronil tablet, along with "Swasari Vati" and "Anu Taila," is miraculous, the AYUSH Ministry asked Patanjali to stop advertising.
"Facts of the claim and details of the stated scientific study are not known to the Ministry," the government said.
Patanjali was asked to divulge more details about the alleged cure.
Demands
Ministry wanted to know medicine's composition, other details
The statement added, "Patanjali Ayurved Ltd has been asked to provide at the earliest details of the name and composition of the medicines being claimed for COVID treatment; site(s)/hospital(s), where the research study was conducted for COVID-19."
Sample size, protocol that was followed, Institutional Ethics Committee clearance, CTRI registration, and results data of the study (ies) were other details that the Ministry demanded.
Reponse
Later, Patanjali said all details have been furnished
Subsequently, Patanjali claimed the "communication gap" has been filled and that the government has been provided with all the requisite details.
"This government encourages Ayurveda and works for its glory, the communication gap has been filled and the Ayush ministry has been given all the information regarding the 100% fulfillment of all the standard parameters of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials (of Coronil)," tweeted Balkrishna.
License
Surprisingly, Patanjali's license application didn't mention coronavirus
While the claims are yet to peer-reviewed and have to be proved scientifically, a licensing officer from Uttarakhand revealed Patanjali's application for Coronil didn't even mention coronavirus.
The organization sought a license for a medicine to cure cough and fever, and it was handed over.
"We'll issue them a notice asking how they got permission to make the kit," an officer said.