Uma Bharati slams Left charges on Baba Ramdev

    Rai Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh): Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Uma Bharati has condemned the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for accusing Baba Ramdev for using bones and animal parts in his herbal and ayurvedic medicines. Bharati, who was expelled from the BJP for indiscipline last month, slammed the Communists, saying that Ramdev had popularised Indian medicines and yoga abroad. "The way Baba Ramdev is imparting knowledge in Yoga, the entire world was respecting India. Even his medicines are hugely popular and Indians are proud of him. Communists have attacked him because they have always been against the nation. They cannot substantiate their claims. I condemn this and want every Indian to support Baba Ramdev," Bharti told reporters here on Friday.

   Uma's reaction came in the wake of allegations made by CPI-M leader Brinda Karat that the yoga guru was using human and animal extracts in his medicines, provoking a strong denial from Ramdev and angry protests by his supporters. Karat said she had collected samples of some of Ramdev's medicines and had them tested through the Union Health Ministry. Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss had also said that the tests confirmed traces of animal matter in one sample, but since the ministry did not collect them, an inquiry would be conducted with new samples. Principal of the Government Ayurveda College, Handia Prof G S Tomar was quoted by newspapers as saying that the accusations against Swami Ramdev were baseless, and that the present criticism was actually an attack on the ancient and time-tested science of Ayurveda which was widely practised by saints and seers. "The Ayurveda medicines are of three types. These are from vegetable origin, animal origin and metal origin. The animal origin Ayurveda medicines contain shell, pearl, animal bone and deer's horns used after their natural death. The deer horns are used in Ayurveda preparations and recommended to patients suffering from respiratory infection. These medicines have no side effect and body absorbs them easily. They provide holistic relief to the patients," he was quoted as saying. According to Professor Tomar, cow's urine (in distilled form) is another Ayurveda medicine recommended to cancer patients for increasing their immunity. The specialty of cow's urine is also mentioned in Ayurveda literature.

    Another Ayurveda practitioner Dr SK Rai was quoted by a leading daily as saying that "There are a number of Ayurveda medicines which contain animal bones and shells because they are a rich source of calcium." "All Ayurveda medicines are processed at least eight times to bring into biological form so that it gets easily absorbed and assimilates in the body, leaving no side effect. We are practicing Shastriya Ayurveda, which is 5000 years' old. In the past also there was no controversy over the contents of the Ayurveda medicines," he said. Swami Ramdev is a rage in many parts of India and claims to cure illnesses through breathing exercises, yoga and traditional medicines. The Guru has a large following amongst the young and old who believe that he has amalgamated spirituality, yoga and Ayurveda.

Nothing against Yog and Yogi, says Brinda Karat
by Maya Singh

    New Delhi: Left out in cold by all political parties on the issue of animal remains in Baba Ramdev' ayurvedic medicines, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat today categorically denied of having a personal vengeance against ayurveda and the Baba. Speaking at a press conference here today, Karat said, "my struggle is against the injustices done to the workers by the Divya Jyot Pharmacy and presence of animal and human remains in the ayurvedic drugs sold by Baba Ramdev's pharmacy which, in fact, are labeled as vegetarian". Maintaining her stance, Karat demanded that a probe should be ordered to look into the claims of animal remains in the drugs and violation done by the pharmacy in labeling of the drugs. Peeved by the political isolation on this issue, Karat today seemed to be mollified as she urged people not to be 'fooled' by propaganda and vicious campaign as she harped on to say that, "we have nothing against ayurveda, homeopath, or any other indigenous medication system". But in the same breath she said that the "struggle would go on". The controversy made headlines last week when the Union Health Minister said that samples provided by Brinda Karat have tested positive of animal remains. The controversy took political colours with Sangh Parivar and their political arch rivals of the Hindi heartland, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Laloo Yadav coming out in support of Baba Ramdev. Soon effigies of Karat were burnt by Ramdev's supporters and activists belonging to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), while Baba Ramdev went on offensive making claims that his medicines were internationally certified and alleged Karat to be sold in the hands of multi-national drug companies whose sale has 'dipped' following Baba's growing popularity.

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