Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Contentious indeed!

The editorial "Bones of contention" (Jan. 10) has rightly pleaded for the demystification of some Ayurvedic preparations. The charges against Swami Ramdev and the Divya Yoga Pharmacy are serious and demand a thorough investigation.

Brinda Karat has substantiated the charge that human and animal bones were used in the preparations. Production of drugs is certainly not a spiritual activity. None can claim immunity from the law.

Rajbir Parashar,
Kaithal, Haryana

Since clinical and other evidence do seem to point to some irregularities, a thorough investigation is imperative. The larger issue of adulteration of alternative medicines has become more relevant than ever before. Those who are politicising the issue are doing a disservice to a large number of people.

Shahabuddin Nadeem,
Bangalore

Aptly titled and rightly timed, the editorial points out the just course available for settling the issue. The premature support made available to Swami Ramdev suggests there is more to the issue than meets the eye.

K.D. Viswanaathan,
Coimbatore

Diversionary tactics seem to be in operation to turn attention away from the allegations against Swami Ramdev.

S. Soundararajan,
Southsea, U.K.

Ms. Karat's allegations are well founded. The Union Health Minister has confirmed that there were traces of human DNA in the samples. The issue gives rise to the suspicion that all these years, patients have been kept in the dark.

S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

The authorities will be failing in their duty if gullible people, desperate for a cure, are allowed to consume adulterated medicines.

V. Krishnan,
Chennai

Textbooks and pharmacopoeias have mentioned various parts of animals in the preparation of Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani formulations. Time and again, scientists have expressed concern over the licensing system and quality control of preparations in the Indian system of medicine. Proprietary formulations are not subjected to reverse pharmacological or toxicological screening before licence is granted. This policy should be reviewed.

S. Venkataraman,
Chennai

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