Probe into charges against Baba Ramdev

    New Delhi: Trouble against famous Yoga Guru, Baba Ramdev, is mounting in the wake of allegations by CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat that his Ayurvedic medicines contained animal parts and human bones. The Uttaranchal Government has now ordered a probe against the Baba after Karat claimed that the Union Health Ministry had found the guru violating licensing and labelling provisions.

   "We came to know in June-July last year that herbal ayurvedic medicines prepared by the Divya Yog pharmacy, owned by Ramdev, contained animal material and human bones. We then handed over the medicine samples to the Department of Ayurveda and now they have confirmed our apprehension," she told reporters here. Baba Ramdev has vehemently denied the charges levelled by Karat. The spiritual leader said he was ready for a probe into the matter and accused Karat of acting at the behest of multi- national companies. "I am ready for a probe by any government agency" into allegations levelled by Karat, he told reporters yesterday. Samples of medicines prepared by Divyayog Pharmacy had never been collected officially and, therefore, no testing was carried out to ascertain whether it contained animal parts and human bones, Ramdev said. The medicines prepared at the pharmacy were in keeping with ayurvedic standards and were certified by government, he said.

BJP comes out in support of Baba Ramdev

    Bhopal/Varanasi/New Delhi/Lucknow: Activists of the BJP and Shiv Sena on Wednesday burnt effigies of senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat for accusing Baba Ramdev of misleading the people. Karat had raked up a controversy saying Baba Ramdev palmed off animal extracts and human bones as panacea to the gullible. Dozens of BJP and Shiv Sena activists burnt posters of Karat and shouted slogan against her in Bhopal. Ramdev has a huge fan following across India with his combination of yoga, breathing exercises and traditional medicines. Young and old alike throng to him, believing he has amalgamated spirituality, yoga and Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine for the spiritual and physical betterment of the people. The controversy broke out after the sacked employees of Ramdev's trust alleged that the concoctions contained human bones and animal parts.

    In Varanasi, Shiv Sena activists burnt Karat's effigies. Giriraj Kishore, Vice President of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad said that the move was aimed at maligning the image of the holy man who is revered by millions across India and abroad. "False allegations have been levelled against Swami Ramdev. All the people who are opposing him are anti-Hindu. Ramdev was only preaching Hindutva through Yoga and medicines," he said in New Delhi. Baba Ramdev has on his part, denied of any wrongdoing.