IMA Uttrakhand Files 1000 Cr Defamation Suit Against Baba Ramdev, Calls it 'Criminal Act'

The Uttarakhand unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued a defamation notice to yoga guru Ramdev for recent comments questioning the efficacy of allopathy treatments. IMA has vowed to sue Ramdev for Rs 1,000 crore if he does not respond to his statements with a video and a written apology within 15 days, according to ANI. 

According to PTI, Ramdev's opinions are "damaging to the reputation and image of allopathy and the approximately 2000 practitioners who are members of the association," according to the six-page notice. According to section 499 of the Indian Penal Code, the yoga guru's words should be considered a "criminal act" (IPC).  

"I am ready for face-to-face with Baba Ramdev. Ramdev does not have a lot of knowledge about allopathy, despite that he is against allopathy and the doctors associated with it. He is making rhetorical statements," said Dr. Ajay Khanna, head of the IMA's Uttarakhand unit, as reported by the news agency. 

Khanna went on to say that Ramdev's speech has lowered the morale of medics who are working around the clock to combat the coronavirus pandemic. 

"Ramdev is constantly lying to sell his medicines," he remarked. 

The IMA and numerous doctors have requested that the yoga guru be prosecuted for his comments doubting the efficiency of allopathy drugs. In the 140-second video, Ramdev was seen reading from his phone, which was extensively circulated on social media. 

"Allopathy is a stupid science. Firstly, hydroxychloroquine failed, the remdesivir failed… Plasma therapy effectiveness is now banned, the steroids have failed. Even Fabiflu and Ivermectin have also failed," Ramdev said. (Translated from Hindi)

On Saturday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a legal notice to the yoga instructor, accusing him of making anti-allopathic statements and "defaming" scientific medicine. His Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust, on the other hand, disputed the claims made by the top medical authority. According to the Haridwar-based trust's statement, in the video that went viral on social media, Ramdev was reading aloud a WhatsApp sent message. 

After receiving a strongly worded letter from Union health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Ramdev revoked his remarks on Sunday. "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 has been quoted as part of a WhatsApp message that I was reading during a meeting of volunteers. I am sorry if it has hurt anyone's sentiment," Ramdev said in his letter to the Union health minister in Hindi. 

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