Centre to probe ‘male child’ drug
Facing pressure from the Opposition, the government on Thursday promised an inquiry into ayurveda products purportedly sold by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Divya pharmacy in Haryana promising the delivery in favour of a male child.
Without naming Ramdev, the Opposition members led by K.C. Tyagi (JD-U) said sale of such products by “the brand ambassador of Haryana” was illegal and unconstitutional. Incidentally, Divya pharmacies sell Ramdev’s medicines.
There was uproar in the Rajya Sabha as soon as the House met for the day with Mr Tyagi (JD-U) showing a packet called “Putrajeevak Beej,” which he claimed to have bought from Divya Pharmacy that promised the delivery of a male child.
He also displayed a copy of the purchase receipt dated April 14. “PM gave a call for ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, I have bought this. I have a receipt. No one can say it is old”.
Terming sale of such products illegal and unconstitutional, he sought stringent action against the manufacturers and was joined by several members cutting across political parties joining him in protest.
Mr Tyagi asked “if the Government of India under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi approves of this.”
Amid protests from treasury benches, Jaya Bachchan (SP) took the packet and gave it to health minister J. P. Nadda.