New Delhi: The controversy between the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Uttarakhand and Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has been escalated further.
The IMA on Saturday challenged Ramdev for a debate. The medical body asked him to tell which allopathic hospitals have given Patanjali medicines for the treatment of COVID-19.
In a letter directed to Ramdev the secretary of IMA Uttarakhand, Dr Ajay Khanna said, "You have already floated your 25 questions in public domain and you and your team should be ready to face questions from our experts."
Also read: Nothing against Ramdev, will consider withdrawing police plaints if he takes back remarks: IMA chief
IMA Uttarakhand also demanded from Ramdev the list of hospitals involved in the studies conducted by the Patanjali Yogpeeth of its products. The yoga guru and entrepreneur in a television program had claimed that Patanjali products are very effective as proved by trial on thousands of patients in allopathic hospitals.
The IMA's latest move comes two days after it filed a complaint against Ramdev for his remarks against allopathy and modern medicine, and his 'dishonest and wrongful representations' on allopathy.
Also read: Smarting under statement withdrawal, Ramdev poses 25 questions to IMA
A day prior to this, the medical body had slapped a defamation notice on Ramdev for alleged disparaging remarks against modern medicine and its practitioners. The notice demanded an apology from him within 15 days, failing which it said would take appropriate action for Rs 1,000 crore compensation.
Last week, the IMA had sent a legal notice to yoga guru Ramdev over his alleged statements against allopathy and 'defaming' scientific medicine.
Citing the video circulating on social media, the IMA said Ramdev is seen saying that "allopathy ek aisi stupid aur diwalilya science hai... (allopathy is such a stupid science)". Later, it appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action against Ramdev and demanded that he should be charged with sedition.
However, on Friday, the IMA said it will consider taking back police complaints lodged against yoga guru Ramdev and also a defamation notice sent to him if he withdrew his remarks against COVID-19 vaccines and modern medicine.
