Baba Ramdev is no stranger to controversy. He recently riled a large section of the medical fraternity by questioning the efficacy of Covid vaccines. But Ramdev remains unperturbed despite criticisms. His eyes are set on his next big project—a university that will produce “ideal” doctors who practise holistic methods of cure and prevention.
Excerpts from an exclusive interview:
Q/ What is distinct about the way you have popularised yoga and ayurveda?
A/ We have done research and produced evidence-based results. Around 0500 crore has been spent on research so far; thousands of crores more will be spent.
There is a principle in marketing—only that which is visible will sell. Until recently, no big celebrity was associated with yoga and ayurveda. Now celebrities are, and the result is that in every home, there are people who can talk about the benefits they have had from yoga and ayurveda. My contribution was that I reached out to the common man, spoke in his language, and thus connected with him.
Q/ Does the belief in yoga and ayurveda negate belief in modern systems of medicine—especially allopathy?
A/ I have repeatedly said that modern medicine is indispensable for life-saving surgeries and illnesses. But these are just 2 per cent of the illnesses we face. The rest are lifestyle, genetic and incurable illnesses, for which allopathy has no answers. But we have proved that our ancient sciences can cure everything from high blood pressure to diabetes to cancer. I do not disrespect allopathy, but to label these ancient sciences as pseudoscience, alternative therapies or quackery is unacceptable.
Q/ The Indian Medical Association was offended by your recent statement [that lakhs of patients have died because of allopathic medicines].
A/ I did not make any official statement against doctors. I only read out a video message. Yet, I apologised for it and placed on record my respect for all doctors and health care workers who were fighting this pandemic and had lost their lives. I want this controversy to end. But now, it has just come to this—that Baba Ramdev has to be abused. So be it.
Q/ You said if allopathic doctors had all the answers, they should never fall ill. What did you mean by it?
A/ A doctor should be a health icon. Holistic health is possible only by living as close to the natural way as possible. That way, a doctor will be able to serve humankind to the best of his abilities. I am 55 years old and do not use any allopathic medicines. I will live till the age of 100 without using any such medicines. That is my way of being a health icon.
Q/ First information reports have been registered against you in Gujarat and West Bengal. How do you intend to respond to them?
A/ We considered sending defamation notices. But my take is that we must channelise our energy constructively, and not bother about such matters.
Q/ You have a large following. Won’t your statements create fear and apprehension?
A/ Most people agree with what I say. Even respected doctors like [cardiothoracic surgeon] Naresh Trehan have said that corporate culture has ruined health care. Most doctors have been captured by the profit culture of Big Pharma.
Q/ This pandemic has not spared even healthy people. Don’t you think your statements can be counterproductive?
A/ People might look healthy on the outside, but their internal systems might be faulty. Going back to a lifestyle guided by nature is the only way to live healthy, sustainable lives. That is what this pandemic has taught us.
Q/ Why are you against the pharma industry?
A/ I label them drug-medical mafia. It is an industry worth 0200 lakh crore worldwide. If anyone challenges this industry, will it not respond with the hate that it is displaying against us? There is no control over the pricing of drugs. Patents are misused to sell a drug worth 02 for 02,000. There is loot.
Q/ Why should profit be a bad word when money is needed to invest in research and development?
A/ In any business, the return on investment is 5 to 30 per cent. Pharma is the only industry that makes profits that are 1,000 times the investment.
Q/ Your company, Patanjali Ayurved, is also a profit-making enterprise. How could profit be a bad word then?
A/ We believe in ‘arth parmarth ke liye’ (money for charity). We invest our money in research for the greater good. We receive donations for our cause. It is nothing like the pharma industry.
Q/ You have spoken about starting MBBS-like courses. How will these be different from the current ones?
A/ We will produce ideal doctors. They will have knowledge of allopathy, yoga, ayurveda and naturopathy. We plan to do this on a very large scale—something like AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), and on a not-for-profit basis. The world’s best diagnostic and life-saving procedures will be taught. This long-term project will take five to seven years to take off.
Q/ The government has taken steps to promote yoga and set up a ministry of AYUSH. What more needs to be done?
A/ The government’s intent is right, but provisions have to be made to fulfil that intent. Since independence, budgetary allocations for medicine systems other than allopathy have been negligible. This injustice needs to end.
Even if there is a 10 per cent hike every year in the budget, it will take decades for these systems to catch up. The overall budget for health needs to be increased. As a society, we need to ask ourselves: what is this budgetary increase for? Is it just for building more infrastructure, or for creating a society of healthy people who do not need long-term medical interventions that have temporary benefits?