Image source - indiatimes.com
The six-page notice served on behalf of IMA (Uttarakhand) secretary Ajay Khanna by his lawyer Neeraj Pandey describes the remarks by Ramdev as damaging to the reputation and the image of allopathy and around 2,000 practitioners of it who are part of the association.
Citing a video circulating on social media, the Indian Medical Association said Ramdev has claimed that allopathy is a "stupid science" and medicines such as remdesivir, faviflu, and other drugs approved by the Drugs Controller General of India have failed to treat Covid-19 patients.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday called yoga guru Ramdev's statement on allopathic medicines "extremely unfortunate" and asked him to withdraw the remark, saying it disrespects 'corona warriors' and can break the morale of healthcare workers.
"Your statement on allopathy can break the morale of healthcare workers and weaken our fight against COVID-19,"
In its defamation notice, IMA Uttarakhand has stated that if Ramdev doesn't post a video countering his statements on allopathic medicine, or tender a written apology within the next 15 days, then a sum of Rs 1000 crore will be demanded from him.
Ramdev later replied to the health minister saying he is taking back his words, as doctors across the country continue to slam him over the remarks.