'Do not propagate any religion', Court tells IMA chief in suit alleging forced conversion of Hindus

Jayalal told the court that he is not against Ayurveda but against mixopathy

A Delhi court has told Indian Medical Association president J A Jayalal not to use the platform for propagating a religion and concentrate on the welfare of the fraternity and progress in medical field.

Additional District Judge Ajay Goel noted "admission" of Dr Jayalal of an interview given to 'Christian Today' on March 30 wherein "he gave credit to Jesus for reducing the Corono outbreak", saying it is "not in good taste" and "seemingly not in harmony with the Constitution".

"Saying Christianity and Allopathy is the same and is the gift by the western world would be the most inaccurate assertion. Sushrata who was an Indian is considered God of surgery, which is an integral aspect of Allopathy," the court said.

Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal was nominated as president of the IMA, the largest council of health professionals in India, in December 2020.

Acting on a suit filed by Rohit Jha to restrain Jayalal from denigrating Hinduism and Ayurveda, the court, however, said no injunction was required to be passed due to his assurance that he shall not indulge in such kind of activity. It was expected that he will not give any such occasion to people to believe otherwise or indulge in any activity contrary to the principles enshrined in Constitution and shall maintain the dignity of position.

"Such a platform cannot be used to propagate any individual’s views on any religion," the court said, adding the exclusive promotion of a particular religion by an institution defies the secular character of the Constitution and denies the constitutional value and morality.

Jha alleged Jayalal was misusing his position as president of the IMA and launched a malicious and defamatory campaign against Hindu religion in the garb of proving superiority of Allopathic medicines over Ayurveda in treatment of Covid patients.

The court said the present suit seems to be offshoot of verbal dual on Allopathy Vs Ayurveda. However, it decided to examine the matter as Jayalal maintained he never made any allegations against Hinduism and never tried for any conversion but he remained disinclined to give such a statement on oath.

With regard to his assertion against Ayurveda, Jayalal, for his part, submitted that he was not against it but was against mixopathy.

To this, the court said every form of treatment is important, having its own benefits and drawbacks depending upon circumstances. Albeit, any kind of unguarded or loose comment cannot be expected from anybody chairing the responsible post, it added.