Ramdev ‘Withdraws’ Allopathy Remark After Health Minister’s Letter

Ramdev, in his comments, claimed that “lakhs had died after taking allopathy medicines”.

Hours after Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday, 23 May, wrote to yoga guru Ramdev, asking him to withdraw his comments claiming “lakhs had died after taking allopathy medicines,” the latter has said he is doing so and added that he wants to put the matter to rest.

“I have written a letter to yoga guru Ramdev, asking him to withdraw the objectionable statement. The statement disrespected COVID warriors and hurt the sentiments of the country,” Vardhan had said.

"You have not only insulted Corona warriors, but have hurt the feelings of the people of the country. Your clarification yesterday is not enough to make up for it... I hope you will think hard on it and withdraw your statements completely," Harsh Vardhan said, in a two-page letter in Hindi.

Vardhan also added that the people of the country were ‘very hurt’ by Ramdev’s remarks.

“The people of the country are very hurt with your remark on allopathic medicines. I have already told about this feeling over phone. Doctors and health workers are like gods for the people of the country for whom they are fighting against the coronavirus risking their lives.”

Harsh Vardhan

Responding to the letter from the health minister, Ramdev said he wants to put the matter to rest.

"Hon'ble Minister, I have received your letter. I withdraw my statement, putting to rest the controversy over various medical practices...," Ramdev tweeted, attaching his statement.

माननीय श्री @drharshvardhan जी आपका पत्र प्राप्त हुआ,
उसके संदर्भ में चिकित्सा पद्दतियों के संघर्ष के इस पूरे विवाद को खेदपूर्वक विराम देते हुए मैं अपना वक्तव्य वापिस लेता हूँ और यह पत्र आपको संप्रेषित कर रहा हूं- pic.twitter.com/jEAr59VtEe

— स्वामी रामदेव (@yogrishiramdev) May 23, 2021

"We do not oppose modern medical science and allopathy. We believe that allopathy has shown immense progress in surgery and the life-saving system and served humanity. My statement has been quoted as part of a WhatsApp message that I was reading during a meeting of volunteers. I am sorry if it has hurt anyone's sentiment," Ramdev stated.

Soon after, reacting to this, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the way Ramdev withdrew his statements is laudable and shows his maturity.

बाबा @yogrishiramdev जी ने एलोपैथिक चिकित्सा पर अपना बयान वापस लेकर जिस तरह पूरे मामले को विराम दिया है, वह
स्वागतयोग्य व उनकी परिपक्वता का परिचायक है।

हमें पूरी दुनिया को दिखाना है कि भारत के लोगों ने किस प्रकार डट कर #COVID19 का सामना किया है। नि:संदेह हमारी जीत निश्चित है ! https://t.co/0XVXULVrH0

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) May 23, 2021

Ramdev’s Objectionable Remarks & ‘Clarification’

Reading from his mobile in a video that has now gone viral, Ramdev could be heard saying, “Allopathy is such a stupid science that first chloroquine failed; then Remdesivir failed; then anti-biotics failed; then steroids failed; then plasma therapy was banned.”

Till now it was still tolerable but this video by Ramdev has crossed all limits. I am not against Ayurveda but this fraud man is making serious allegations now!Considering the following this bigot has,he is nothing less than a pandemic now ! He should be taught his limits ASAP ! pic.twitter.com/d0twVO4ZNc

— Tushar Mehta (@dr_tushar_mehta) May 21, 2021

The minister’s letter came a dayafter the Indian Medical Association urged the Union Health Ministry to take action against Ramdev.

Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust, earlier in the day, had said that Ramdev had the ‘utmost regard for doctors and carried no ill will against modern science and medicine’.

(With inputs from NDTV)