When asked what prompted the Indian Medical Association to take on Baba Ramdev despite him being a big name and politically connected, the IMA president said, “He crossed a red line.
Dr. RV Asokan, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), stated on Monday that yoga guru Baba Ramdev had crossed a critical boundary by asserting he could cure COVID-19 while also disparaging modern medicine. Speaking with news agency PTI, Asokan highlighted that Ramdev’s comments denigrating modern medicine as “stupid and bankrupt science” contradicted medical ethics.
Asokan stated, “He contradicted national interests during the government’s vaccination campaign. He falsely claimed that 20,000 doctors died after receiving two doses of the COVID vaccine. Given his high profile, people believed his words, which was unfortunate.”
Why IMA sued Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali
When questioned about why the IMA decided to confront Ramdev despite his considerable influence and political connections, Asokan responded, “He surpassed a critical boundary.”
“We’ve endured mediocrity in this nation for far too long. Our profession has also tolerated it, and we’ve never felt the need to prove ourselves to anyone. He crossed a line when he promoted Coronil (a Patanjali tablet) and falsely claimed that it was approved by the WHO,” remarked Asokan.
“Our leadership believed he needed to be confronted. This decision was made in 2022, and we chose to utilize the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act. What transpired in the Supreme Court is the culmination of two to three years of diligent effort,” he explained.
‘IMA not against traditional systems of medicine’
Asokan clarified that the IMA does not oppose traditional medicine systems, stating, “We have coexisted with them for decades and hold mutual respect. However, certain segments of society misconstrued our stance as anti-traditional systems. Regarding the public apology, it was directed to the Supreme Court, primarily addressing the contempt of court issue rather than the underlying matter,” he added.
Is IMA now satisfied with SC’s take on Patanjali?
Asokan noted that the court has yet to deliver its final judgment. “We must exercise patience and await the verdict. Our satisfaction will hinge on the court’s decision. It’s not solely about the apology he issued; rather, it is for the court to determine whether he crossed the line by disparaging modern medicine,” he emphasized.
Asokan highlighted that the IMA consistently updates its members on ethics and principles, emphasizing the need for adaptation. “Ethical standards evolve over time and vary depending on context. What may be considered appropriate today might not hold true in the future. It’s an ongoing process of adaptation and education,” he remarked.
IMA vs Patanjali
In a recent development, the Supreme Court revisited the IMA’s 2022 plea, which accused of a smear campaign against the COVID vaccination campaign and modern medical practices. Last month, the court directed Ramdev, along with his associate Acharya Balakrishna and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, to issue a public apology for failing to comply with its directives regarding misleading advertisements.
During a hearing on April 23, the court admonished the petitioner, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), highlighting instances where its members were accused of prescribing unnecessary and costly medications. The court referenced numerous complaints lodged against the IMA regarding unethical practices.
The matter related to the apology published by Ramdev and his associate Acharya Balkrishna will be considered on April 30.
What Baba Ramdev had claimed?
In a video from 2021, Ramdev purportedly declared, “Allopathy is a flawed science,” criticizing medications like Remdesivir and Fabiflu, endorsed by the Drugs Controller General of India, for their purported failure in treating COVID-19 patients. His comments sparked widespread outrage, leading the IMA to issue a legal notice against him.
According to a complaint, numerous videos of Ramdev circulated on social media allegedly contained misleading statements, as reported by news agency ANI.
Ramdev was subsequently charged under Sections 188 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of a disease dangerous to life), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and other provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Supreme Court posts Patanjali’s misleading advertisements case for hearing on April 23.
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024
They have to be present on the next date of hearing. https://t.co/uQx4CaRSr0