Indian Doctors Spar With Yoga Guru Ramdev Over Insulting Covid-19 Remark

Indian doctors aren't too happy with yoga guru Baba Ramdev's opinion on modern medicine. The guru withdrew his statement after he was criticized for his controversial statements.

He recently said that many people died of coronavirus after consuming modern medicines. He also mocked patients for trying to get oxygen cylinders.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), which represents doctors in India, slammed Ramdev for his "insensitive" comments amidst the pandemic.

According to BBC, doctors said that such statements from a guru with several followers were "irresponsible and demoralising".

A video of Ramdev making fun of patients for trying to find oxygen was trending earlier this month.

"God has given us free oxygen, why don't we breathe that? How can there be a shortage when God has filled the atmosphere with oxygen? Fools are looking for oxygen cylinders. Just breathe the free oxygen. Why are you complaining about shortage of oxygen and beds and crematoriums?" said Ramdev, who has an alternative medicine empire under the brand Patanjali.

In another video, he criticized doctors and blamed them for Covid deaths.

The IMA had written in a letter that said that Ramdev’s “untutored” statements were “a threat to the literate society of the country as well as to the poor people falling prey to him," reported the Independent.

“Ramdev deserves to be prosecuted for causing danger to the lives of many by making them believe not to take the advice of allopathy doctors,” it said.

The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) also said that it had served a legal notice to Ramdev, condemning the “baseless and unscrupulous claims made for cheap publicity."

The Patanjali Trust issued a statement saying that Ramdev was merely “reading out” a WhatsApp forward when he made the comments, and that he had “utmost regards” for doctors.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan wrote a letter in Hindi issued via the health ministry. It said that he condemned Ramdev’s comments and “hoped” he would withdraw them.

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

“You have not only insulted Corona warriors, but have hurt the feelings of the people of the country. Your clarification yesterday is not enough to make up for it... I hope you will think hard on it and withdraw your statements completely,” he added.

Reacting to the letter from the health minister, Ramdev tweeted, “Received your letter Dr Harsh Vardhan. In that context and to end the whole controversy over the conflict of different treatments, with regrets, I am withdrawing my statement.”

But on Monday, he again seemed to take a swipe at modern medicine for not having a cure for some of the common diseases.