Delhi High Court expresses concerns over Baba Ramdev’s statement on POTUS Biden testing positive for Covid-19
The single-judge bench stated that such statements can harm our country's relations with other countries and could also tarnish the name of Ayurveda.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday expressed concerns over Baba Ramdev’s recent statement on US President Joe Biden being tested positive for Covid-19 despite vaccination. Baba Ramdev allegedly said that it was a "failure" of medical science.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambani stated that people should not be misled by statements that are not official and such statements can harm our country's relations with other countries while also bringing a bad name to Ayurveda.
Court added that Ayurveda's good name should not be tarnished as it is an ancient and respected medical system.
“One is, I am concerned about the good name of Ayurveda being destroyed. I am concerned about it. Ayurveda is a recognized, ancient system of medicine. Let’s not do anything to harm the good name of Ayurveda. The second is, that here people are being named. It can have international consequences for our relations, country’s relations with foreign countries… Leaders are being named which will affect our good relations with foreign nations,” Justice Bhambani stated.
Moreover, Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal concluded arguments in the suit filed on behalf of a group of doctors' associations against Ramdev for his anti-allopathy statements during the coronavirus pandemic and for claiming that Coronil is a cure for Covid-19.
In July, Ramdev and other defendants informed the High Court that they are willing to provide the necessary clarifications to address the issues raised in the suit. However, Allopathic doctors have not agreed to the draft prepared by Ramdev’s side.
The Residents Doctors' Association of All India Institute of Medical Science, Rishikesh, and other unions representing doctors in the lawsuit have asked for a permanent and mandatory injunction against Ramdev's "persistent and malicious misinformation campaign" during the ongoing pandemic against allopathy and doctors practicing in the field.
The doctors' lawsuit claims that Ramdev misled and misrepresented the public by claiming that allopathy was to blame for the deaths of several people infected with Covid-19 and insinuating that allopathic doctors were to blame for the deaths of thousands of patients.
"(Ramdev) is a highly influential person with a very large reach, with followers numbering several lacs (lakhs) on social media, and accordingly statements made by him have the potential to directly influence his followers into acting in terms of his directions," the suit plea stated.
The associations have also claimed that a "misinformation campaign" during the ongoing pandemic has the potential to divert people away from allopathic treatments, which would be a violation of Indian citizens' right to health.
Case Title: Resident Doctors Association, AIIMS (Rishikesh) & Ors. v. Ram Kishan Yadav alias Swami Ramdev & Ors.
[Inputs: The Indian Express]