India / Ramdev was reading a WhatsApp forward: Patanjali responds to IMA's criticism

New Delhi: Yoga guru Ramdev has no ill-will against modern science and its practitioners, Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust said on Saturday denying IMA's allegations that he misled people by making "unlearned" remarks against allopathy.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) earlier today asked the Union Health Ministry to take action against Ramdev as he has misled people by making “unlearned” statements against allopathy and defamed scientific medicine.

The top medical body also sent a legal notice to Ramdev over his alleged statements.

Citing a video circulating on social media, the IMA said the yoga guru is seen saying that "allopathy ek aisi stupid aur diwalilya science hai... (allopathy is such a stupid science)."

The IMA also asked the ministry to either dissolve the modern medical facility or book and prosecute the yoga guru under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

"Swami Ramdev deserves to be prosecuted for disobeying and cause danger to the life of many by making them believe and make them not to take the advice of allopathy drugs. His quote about Favipiravir as medicine against fever/antipyretic is laughable, childish, and demonstrates his in-depth scientific knowledge," the IMA had said in a press statement.

However, the Haridwar-based Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust refuted the charges and said that Ramdev has "utmost regards" for doctors and support staff who have been working day and night during such a challenging time of the pandemic.

It also clarified that Ramdev was “reading out a forwarded WhatsApp message received by him and various other members who were participating in the event.”

“Swami jee has no ill-will against the modern science and good practitioners of modern medicine. What is being attributed against him is false and nugatory,” said the statement signed by Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust General Secretary Acharya Balakrishna.