Agreeing to the objections raised by Mangalore-based Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, Bangalore-based NIMHANS has cancelled a scheduled event on its premises.

In an open letter to NIMHANS Director, P. Satishchandra, copies of which were released to the press, president of the Federation Narendra Nayak had objected to renting out the NIMHANS convention centre for holistic karma healing planned for May 11. Acting quickly, Mr. Satishchandra has cancelled the event.

Mr. Nayak had asked whether karmic influences have any role in neurological disorders and said the NIMHANS Convention Centre has been rented out to an activity which goes totally against and in fact denies evidence-based medicine. He had urged the director to reconsider the permission granted pointing out the 2004 judgment of the Supreme Court which stated that unrecognised, not evidence-based so called “therapies” should not be given any sort of recognition or support by the government. NIMHANS being a government-funded body was covered by this definition, he said.

Dr. Satishchandra said he fully agreed with the contention of the rationalist and had called the organisers of the event and offered to refund the entire amount. He said the venue was booked “like a chowlty” (without his prior knowledge). He had acted the moment it was brought to his notice.

It was the philosophy of NIMHANS not to allow such psychological healing on its campus. “We cannot allow such spiritual thing,” he said.

NIMHANS cancels holistic karma healing event on campus after rationalists’ open letter

NIMHANS Director P. Satishchandra called the organiser and refunded the auditorium fee

NIMHANS cancels holistic karma healing event on campus