Ramdev Started False Propaganda On COVID Treatment To Promote Patanjali Products : Delhi Medical Association Tells Supreme Court

The Applicant seeks to be impleaded as a party in order to bring on record crucial facts and to oppose the grant of reliefs sought by the Petitioner.

The I.A. commences by submitting that members of the Applicant Association have dedicated their entire lives for the past 15 months to the nation and have unwaveringly served the Indian public in order to fight against the pandemic, even at the cost of their own lives just to fulfil their oaths to serve the country.

"The said doctors have worked every day for approximately 18 hours a day for the past 15 months without a break to not only ensure that the best treatment is provided to the patients suffering from COVID-19 but also prevent emergency situations arising due to COVID-19 leading to shortage of beds, non-availability of medicines and oxygen etc."

The I.A. goes on to submit that one of the most difficult challenges faced by doctors fighting the pandemic is overcoming the rampant misconceptions and misinformation which has led to "serious mismanagement of the disease by the patients but also discouraged patients from taking COVID-19 vaccines and correct drugs to treat the deadly disease".

However, with the entire medical fraternity working toward this, the I.A. avers that the Petitioner (Baba Ramdev) has "shockingly started a false propaganda against COVID-19 vaccines and the treatment protocol for COVID-19 approved by the Central Govt. itself, with the mala fide intent to promote the sale of products namely 'Coronil' 'Swasari Vati' and 'Anu Taila' manufactured by his company 'Patanjali Ayurved Ltd'".

Listing the incidents wherein Ramdev dispelled misinformation, the I.A. states that such statements have led to skyrocketing of the revenue of "Coronil", with the total revenue being believed to be in excess of Rs. 1,000 crores.

"After the protest of the medical fraternity against the false claims of Ramdev, Ramdev appeared on several platforms and TV channels and made false and baseless averments against the treatment and medicines prescribed by the Ministry of Helath, ICMR as well as AIIMs for COVID-19 treatment and stated that such treatment and medicines are ineffective in controlling or treating COVID-19. He further referred to doctors/practitioners of modern medicine as 'agents of pharmaceutical companies' and 'drug mafia' who are killing patients."

Calling Ramdev a businessman clad as a "yog guru" with no degree or license to practice Ayurveda and prescribe medicines, the I.A. submits that by insulting allopathy and allopathic doctors by referring to it as "tamasha" and "stupid science", Ramdev has attempted to create a false narrative that Ayurveda is a better science than allopathic science, and has therefore instigated people to disregard 'allopathic' vaccines and COVID treatment protocols issued by the Centre.

"By his hateful speeches and comments, Ramdev created hysteria among COVID patients against Doctors and frontline workers, COVID vaccines as well as treatment prescribed and approved by the Central Government. As a result of Ramdev's statements, many people started avoiding vaccinations. Furthermore, many patients lost their lives by not taking appropriate COVID treatment on the advice of Ramdev".

In light of Ramdev endangering the lives of thousands, and defrauding the entire country, the I.A. prays for the DMA to be impleaded to bring on record crucial facts and circumstances in order to oppose Ramdev's plea.

Last week, a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, while considering Ramdev's petition, had sought for the exact comments made by him. On this, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who was representing Ramdev, undertook to produce the video and full transcripts of his comments.

The Court will consider the petition on Monday, July 5.