Haridwar: Deviating from his previous stance Baba Ramdev said he will soon get vaccinated and also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effort to bring India's Covid vaccination drive under the control of central government by June 21 and inoculate every citizen aged 18 years or above for free.


Yoga guru takes u-turn on vaccination


The yoga guru, who is the founder of Patanjali, stirred controversy last month saying he does not need to get vaccinated against Covid since he is protected by yoga and Ayurveda. He has also questioned the efficacy of Covid vaccines. Ramdev attracted eyeballs over his remarks demeaning allopathic medicine and doctors with respect to the Covid-19 crisis.


ALSO READ: No Remdesivir, No Self-Medication Of Steroids: Centre Issues Guidelines For Covid Management In Children


While retracting from his earlier stance, Baba Ramdev said he will soon get himself vaccinated.


"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a historic announcement of vaccinating every citizen free of cost from June 21. Everybody should get vaccinated. Also, people should practice yoga and Ayurveda which will prepare a protective shield against disease and will also prevent Covid casualties. I will also get vaccinated soon," Ramdev said.


Says doctors are God’s messengers on Earth


Ramdev pointed out that certain pharmaceutical businesses have been taking undue advantage of the situation by charging exorbitant prices. He praised doctors for their efforts during the pandemic. "We cannot be at enmity with any organisation. And all the good doctors are all messengers sent by God on this earth. They are a gift to this planet. But if a person being a doctor does anything wrong then that is the fault of that individual. Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadh stores had to be opened because drug mafias have opened fancy shops where they are selling unnecessary medicines at very high prices instead of basic and necessary ones."


Allopathy better for emergency cases and surgeries


On the controversy over allopathy and Ayurveda, the yoga guru said there was no doubt that allopathy is better in terms of emergency cases and surgeries but Ayurveda treats incurable diseases.


"We want that nobody should be harassed in the name of medicines and people should refrain from unnecessary medication. There is no doubt that allopathy is better for emergency cases and surgeries. But other life-threatening diseases, incurable disorders can be cured through ancient practices listed in Yoga Ayurveda, which is not a matter of argument," said Ramdev.


Questioning some of the medicines used for the treatment of coronavirus infection, he said that "millions of people died due to taking allopathic medicines in the treatment of Covid-19". After this, the Indian Medical Association had filed a defamation case against Baba Ramdev and also lodged a complaint with the police. IMA also wrote a letter to PM Modi for action against those who defame allopathy.