New Delhi, May 2: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators and lawmakers are busy distributing certificates of nationalism to ideological opponents across the nation. The latest to join the fray of ‘anti-nationals’ are the medical practitioners who prefer giving their patients allopathic medicines rather than ayurvedic. Also Read - Farm Bills to be Tabled in Rajya Sabha Today; Oppn Puts United Front, BJP Seeks Support From Regional Parties | Top Points

Heading the Ministry of AYUSH, BJP MP Shripad Yesso Naik made a highly objectionable statement in Kolhapur saying, “Doctors prescribing non-ayurvedic medicines are anti-nationals.” Also Read - Chidambaram Says Farm Bills 2020 Undermine Food Security System, Slams BJP For ‘Maligning’ Cong's 2019 Manifesto

“Some ayurveda practitioners have told me that doctors prescribing allopathy medicines often advise patients not to opt for ayurveda. Such doctors are anti-nationals,” he was quoted as saying by TOI. (ALSO READ: Government ready to help in construction of Ram temple: Shripad Naik) Also Read - Monsoon Session: Finance Minister Diluting GST Compensation Issue With ‘Act of God’ Excuse, Says DMK MP in Lok Sabha | Highlights

Naik inaugurated an ayurveda research centre in Kolhapur on Saturday. During the event, he stressed on the importance of adopting ayurveda as a primary source of medicine. “How can anyone oppose ayurveda when the whole world is showing interest in it and trying to find remedies of diseases that modern medical science cannot?” Naik said, adding that Ayurveda is one of the precious aspect of Indian culture.

Ministry of AYUSH was formed in November 2014 by the Narendra Modi government. It is tasked to promote the use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy as mainstream medicine. (ALSO READ: AYUSH Ministry rejects purported RTI reply that claimed it does not recruit Muslims)

The ministry had earlier too entered into a controversy after a purported RTI application making rounds on the internet said, “As per government policy, no Muslim candidate could be invited, selected or sent abroad.” However, the AYUSH ministry rejected the reports calling the RTI application as “fake” and “mischievous”.