CPM leader, Brinda Karat sent samples of two formulations meant to treat epilepsy and sexual weakness for testing. The samples were found to contain human and animal DNA. On the other hand Ramdev and his allies succeeded in putting Karat and her allies on trial and called them as puppets of Western drug companies.
Karat and the fired workers of Divya Yoga Trust have brought an important issue to light.
The Ayurvedic tradition considers all substances from animals, vegetables, or the earth as medicines, provided they are applied in a proper way and for specific purposes.
Swami Ramdev could be faulted not for using human and animal body parts. He could faulted for not disclosing their presence in the drugs he was selling. This lack of transparency is not a trivial matter. The consumers have a right to know what goes into the medicines they depend upon.
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