Ramdev rebuts allegations on medicine, but will add disclaimer

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : May 01 2015 | 4:48 PM IST
A day after opposition MPs demanded a ban on a medicine from his pharmacy, yoga guru Ramdev today rebutted allegations that it was being sold for conceiving a male child and claimed that he was being targeted through "lies" to defame the Prime Minister.
However, he said a disclaimer will be added on the package of the medicine 'Putrajeevak Beej' that it does not promise a male child and claimed it is named so after the scientific name of the herb 'Putranjiva roxburghii Wall'.
"MPs who have no clue about Ayurveda should be ashamed and should apologise to the nation. The medicine (pack) does not say anywhere that it helps in producing a son," he told a press conference here, and demanded an apology from JD(U) MP KC Tyagi, who raised the issue in Rajya Sabha yesterday, accusing him of resorting to "lies".
The yoga guru, who has courted several controversies in the past, also took a jibe at Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan saying she was demanding a ban on his pharmacy products as she was "not getting any opportunity to act in movies these days".
"The name has simply been derived from its scientific name 'Putranjiva roxburghii Wall' and has got nothing to do with the promise of a son. Lying in the Parliament is a national crime," he said.
Calling himself a "fakir" (ascetic), Ramdev, who had openly supported Narendra Modi's prime ministerial campaign, repeatedly invoked the Prime Minister's name and said not only he but the PM was being "unfairly" targeted through these "falsehoods".
"On one hand there is the fakir and on the other hand there is the wazir. It's being said that when the Prime Minister is saying 'Beti Bachao', his closest man is saying 'Beta Badhao'. Essentially insult the fakir and and tarnish the wazir's name is the method," he said.
According to Ramdev, the opposition was latching onto every issue to target Modi, who, he said was focusing on developing the manufacturing sector as well agriculture.
"While Modi is trying to find a balance between the two, the Opposition wants him to fail on both the fronts. He should be given time," he said, evading a direct reply on the Land Acquisition Bill.
Yesterday, opposition MPs led by KC Tyagi in the Rajya Sabha demanded a ban on the product and had sought stringent action against the manufacturer.
Ramdev was recently made Haryana's brand ambassador by the BJP government there.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 01 2015 | 4:48 PM IST

Next Story