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The President of the Indian Medical Association J A Jayalal has said that the suit filed against him for allegedly making derogatory statements against Ayurveda is only an attempt to threaten and intimidate  the Indian Medical Association (IMA) being a private association of allopathic doctors from acting in furtherance of its objectives and prevent the association and its office bearers from exercising their fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

It has further been submitted that through the present suit the plaintiffs have sought orders which would have “chilling effect” on the fundamental rights of the defendants including the right to free speech and expression and the right to practice any profession as guaranteed under Article 19 (1)(a) and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.

The defendants include IMA, its President JA Jayalal, Secretary Jayesh Lele, the National Medical Association and the Irds Indian Standards bureau.

Civil Judge Deeksh Rao today took on record reply filed by IMA, Jayalal, Lele and granted last opportunity to the National Medical Commission to file its reply before the next date of hearing i.e, September 29, 2021.

The suit has been filed by Rajendra Singh Rajput and ors seeking a public apology and a permanent injunction against the defendants to refrain from making any derogatory statements against the Ayurveda treatment hurting the sentiments of Ayurvedic believers in the interest of justice.

The plea states that the Secretary General of IMA in an interview on the national television had used disrespectful words against Ayurveda showing superiority of allopathic medicines in comparison to Ayurvedic medicines. It has also been alleged that alleged that IMA is promoting commercial products of private companies in exchange for crores of rupees.

The plea filed through Advocate Bharat Malhotra has also prayed for a permanent injunction retraining the defendants from using the IMA platform for propagating any religion or hurting the sentiments of Hindus or others.

Case Title: Rajender Singh Rajput and ors vs Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal and ors