Drug has nothing to do with birth of male child: Ramdev

Yoga guru Ramdev has reacted to the Uttarakhand health department’s plans to take action against his pharmacy manufacturing controversial ‘Putra Jeevak Beej’, claiming that the Ayurvedic medicine has nothing to do with birth of a male or girl child.

“The name is in use for ages and those who are raising a hue and cry over the medicine have no knowledge,” Ramdev told reporters in Haridwar on Thursday afternoon.

Ramdev’s aide Acharya Balkrishna said the Congress leaders were trying to appease their seniors.

Last week, health minister SS Negi said the state government had completed a probe against the medicine as per instructions of the Union health ministry. The probe was initiated after JD (U) MP from Bihar, KC Tyagi, questioned whether the ‘Putra Jeevak Beej’ was promoting sex discrimination and promotion of the birth of male child.

The name, he said, suggests that it promotes male child.

The state in its probe found that name was against the norms of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition Of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT Act).

Ramdev is known for having an uneasy relationship with the Congress. Former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna had slapped more than 80 cases (most related to tax evasion) against Ramdev’s Patanjali. But, Bahuguna’s successor Harish Rawat, who allegedly has a good relation with Ramdev, has not taken any further action. Rawat said many people face cases and it was a part of ‘Raj Kaj’ (governance).