Yoga guru Ramdev to disobey any law against yoga

India Politics
Yoga guru Ramdev to disobey any law against yoga
By IANS, Feb 21, 2007 - 8:06:23 PM

Bhopal, Feb 21 - Unfazed by the central government's directives of not to claim curing of diseases through yoga, yoga guru Baba Ramdev has said that even if the government comes out with any law on the issue he will disobey it.

'Ahead of India's independence, Mahatma Gandhi told a Congress party meeting that Ayurveda would be adopted as a method of treating various ailments. If the followers of Gandhi bring out any law against yoga, I would not accept it,' he said.

The union health ministry had last year served him - a notice, ordering him not to make claims about curing ailments through yoga.

Baba Ramdev said the ministry's directive has put him in a dilemma. 'If I don't say that yoga is helpful in curing diseases, should I say that yoga aggravates diseases?' he asked.

'I believe that yoga could cure ailments and it has the power to render the mind and body disease-free. I have proof to support my contention,' he told IANS after conducting a yoga camp for MLAs in the state assembly premises Tuesday morning.

'Above all, people are being cured and these claims are in fact made by people themselves,' he said.

'More than Rs.50 billion is spent every year on the treatment of various ailments while more than 40 percent people foot the bills by taking loan. Out of these 30 percent are those living below the poverty line. If yoga was adopted, they could get rid of this problem,' the yoga guru added.

Ramdev also objected to providing sex education in schools saying, 'If sex education was provided in schools, the government should also open abortion centres along with the schools,' he said.