ulta pulta

Dose of controversy
Jaspal Bhatti

ON learning about the Baba Ramdev-Brinda Karat controversy, I thought Brinda Karat must be suffering from a gastric problem and must have tried Baba Ramdev’s ayurvedic medicine or tried his yogic exercises that come on television. Finding them ineffective, she had tried to expose the Baba.

The second theory is that she really tried to help the sacked workers of Baba Ramdev-run Divya Yog Pharmacy who claimed that human skulls and bones were being used in medicines made at the pharmacy. If the sacked workers are able to prove their point, the soft drink companies should reward them by appointing them on double salaries.

Political parties like the Congress, the RSS, or the Samajwadi Party are trying to gain political mileage out of this controversy. Brinda and Baba too will stand to benefit from the debate. Baba may get into politics and Brinda is likely to learn a formula or two about herbal science.

If a thorough investigation into the contents of the medicines bails Baba Ramdev out, it will save the faith of millions of his followers. But if parts of human skull or bones are found, then the faith in adulteration would be strengthened.

A frustrated patient would then ask his doctor, "Doctor, please tell me which is more effective — an adulterated ayurvedic medicine or an adulterated allopathic medicine?"

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