Ramdev withdraws comments on allopathic medicine after furor
What's the story
Yoga guru Ramdev on Sunday withdrew his recent statements on allopathic medicine which had triggered strong protests from the medical fraternity. Responding to a letter from Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Ramdev said that he wants to put the matter to rest. Reportedly, in a video circulating across social media, Ramdev had called allopathic medicines a "stupid science." Here are more details.
Allopathic medicines
Lakhs of patients died after taking allopathic medicines: Ramdev
Ramdev also allegedly said that medicines such as Remdesivir, Fabiflu, and other drugs approved by the Drugs Controller General of India have failed to treat COVID-19 and that lakhs of patients have died after taking allopathic medicines. Citing the video, the Indian Medical Association had urged the Union Health Minister on Saturday to take strict action against Ramdev.
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Statement challenges integrity of ICMR, DCGI, Health Ministry: IMA
The IMA also said the statements made by Ramdev challenge the wisdom and integrity of "time-tested icons" like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), and the Health Ministry.
Dr. Vardhan's letter
Here is what Health Minister's letter to Ramdev said
In a strongly-worded letter to Ramdev on Sunday, Dr. Vardhan said, "The statement disrespects the corona warriors and hurts sentiments of the country. Your statement on allopathy can break the morale of healthcare workers and weaken our fight against COVID-19." "Allopathic medicines have saved lives of crores and comments that the drugs are responsible for the death of lakhs is extremely unfortunate," he added.
Ramdev
Allopathy has shown remarkable progress and served humanity: Ramdev
Replying to the minister's letter, Ramdev in his statement said he respects all forms of medical science, and allopathy doctors have saved people during the pandemic by risking their own lives. "I accept that allopathy has shown remarkable progress in the life-saving system (jeevan raksha pranali) and surgery and has served humanity," he said.
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Ramdev claimed to be reading out Whatsapp messages in video
Regarding the video in question, Ramdev said that he was actually reading out messages forwarded on WhatsApp. "If that has hurt sentiments of anyone, then I regret it," he added.
Ayurveda
However, allopathic doctors should not mock Ayurveda either: Ramdev
However, Ramdev also said that traditional Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy have also controlled and provided a permanent solution to several complex diseases like blood pressure, thyroid, sugar, arthritis, hepatitis, and asthma. "The allopathic doctors should also not mock the Indian medical systems like Ayurveda and Yoga by calling it as 'pseudo-science' as it hurts crores of people," he asserted.
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IMA wanted Ramdev's remarks to be labeled as hate speech
Earlier, the IMA had said Ramdev's remarks should be considered as hate speech and he should be booked under the Epidemic Diseases Act for misleading people by making untutored and unlearned statements. It demanded an unconditional public apology from Ramdev to allopathy and its practitioners.