Ramadoss rubbishes Ramdev's claim that yoga cures AIDS

NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday rubbished the claims made by yoga guru Baba Ramdev that yoga can cure AIDS, saying such things which are not scientifically and clinically validated should not be propagated.

"What he has been saying is rubbish. I have lots of appreciation of what he is doing. We support him on the yoga front. But we are not with him when he propagates claims that are not scientifically and clinically validated," Ramadoss told reporters at an informal interaction here.

Ramdev had claimed that his institute will "prove through clinical tests that yoga can cure AIDS" and said he has received notices from the Center and he is not afraid about getting them because he is telling the truth.

Ramadoss said he was not aware about the notice sent to Ramdev for making such claims on curing diseases.

"I am not aware about the notice. My department may have done so. But they (Department of Ayush) have sent similar notices to others too," Ramadoss said adding they have no problem when he claims of curing other diseases.

"It has been scientifically-proven that yoga helps in reducing diabetes, arthritis and stress-related problems. But not cancer and AIDS," he said.

"We are willing to work with him if he could prove that he could find a cure for HIV. But not without scientifically-backed facts."

The minister said they are planning to amend the Drugs and Magic Act, which will also cover treatment module. "We have sent it for approval to the cabinet," he said.