Delhi HC asks DMA not to waste court's time over Ramdev's remarks

The Delhi Court on Thursday advised the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) body to not waste the court's time, and instead, find a cure to the pandemic. The High Court's comment came following a lawsuit filed by DMA against Yoga guru Baba Ramdev's remarks on 'Coronil', 'science' and 'allopathy'.

The court turned down DMA's plea to prevent Ramdev from making statements about allopathic medicines. Ramdev's statement has earned widespread criticism from medical professionals from across the country.

DMA approached the court seeking Re 1 token of damage, caused by his statement in addition to an unconditional apology. The court venue witnessed an exchange of heated arguments during which the court asked the association to spend their time on finding a cure instead of DMA registering a strong objection against the comments.

The DMA argued that Ramdev labelled the allopathy science a 'fake'. Despite the request of the government to abstain from his "Coronil", he marketed it for ₹ 250 crores. DMA also added that his exaggerated claims of the effectiveness of Coronil to cure the Covid with a zero per cent death rate and to boost immunity is completely false.

However, the court, during the arguments, told DMA to spend time to find a cure for the pandemic instead of wasting the court's time.

"Tomorrow, I may feel homoeopathy is fake. It's an opinion. How can a suit be filed against it? Even if we assume what he is saying is wrong or misleading, a suit under public interest can't be filed like this. This has to be public interest litigation (PIL)," the court opined and questioned DMA for not presenting any video proof of Ramdev's speeches.

Though the High Court did not emphasize whether Coronil is a cure or not, it stated that the Patanjali owner's views on allopathy or science have nothing to do with the court. "Let's say 10,000 people bought Coronil and 9,500 died. You go to the media and say that Coronil has killed 95 per cent. In that case, Ramdev will file a suit against you? Allopathy has worked for some and not for some. It's a view," the court questioned.

"If Patanjali is violating (rules), it's for the government to act. Why are you carrying the torch? This is public interest litigation, masquerading as a suit. You better file a PIL saying that he called it a cure and then changed it to an immunity booster, and in the meantime, millions bought it."

The High court said that it would issue a notice in the matter and the suit can be maintained three times. It also called on the yoga guru's legal counsel to advise Ramdev to nog make any provocative statements until the next hearing on July 13 and respond to the suit.

The Patanjali founder was caught up in a spit of controversies since last month after he allegedly termed allopathy and science as 'stupid'. Several doctors and other medical professionals condemned his remarks along the Indian Medical Association said in a press release those frontline workers who work hard to save lives every day were being insulted.