[Reader-list] Baba Ramdev claims Yoga has a cure...

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

Hindu guru claims homosexuality can be 'cured' by yoga The world's most
popular Hindu guru, Swami "Baba" Ramdev, has claimed homosexuality can be
"cured" by yoga in a petition to India's Supreme Court.
*
By Dean Nelson, South Asia Editor
Published: 6:09PM BST 08 Jul 2009*

Link -
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/5780028/Hindu-guru-claims-homosexuality-can-be-cured-by-yoga.html

The television guru whose yoga programmes are watched by an estimated 85
million people throughout the world, made the claim in an appeal to the
overturn a ruling last week which legalised homosexuality.

He has warned he will launch nationwide protests if the ruling is not struck
down and said all of India's main religions regarded homosexual acts as
sins.

In his petition, he argued that homosexuality was a curable disease and that
sufferers could seek a cure.

"It can be treated like any other congenital defect. Such tendencies can be
treated by yoga, pranayam and other meditation techniques," he said.

Pranayam are a series of breathing exercises which include hyperventilation,
a slow release of breath while chanting "Om".

His followers have said there are particular yoga positions which also help
prevent sexual urges.

The overturning of India's law criminalising homosexuality was welcomed by
India's gay community and by campaigners, including several leading
designers and Bollywood stars.

But it was condemned by Muslim, Christian and Hindu leaders in India.

Baba Remdev, who counts senior government ministers among his devotees,
issued a particularly strong response. In his petition he compared
homosexuals to "other anti-social groups", and said legalisation would have
a "negative effect" on the young, while increasing the prevalence of
HIV/Aids.

"These are unnatural acts not designed for human beings. The decision of the
High Court, if allowed to sustain will have catastrophic effects on the
moral fabric of society and will jeopardise the institution of marriage
itself. This offends the structure of Indian value system, Indian culture
and traditions, as derived from religious scriptures," it said.

Swami Ramdev remains extraordinarily popular despite a number of
controversies surrounding his own ayurvedic medicines. In 2006, a leading
Communist MP claimed laboratory tests revealed human and animal remains in
his herbal treatments. Other tests supported his denial, but the popularity
of his medicines grew regardless.

He has also drawn criticism for his claims that yoga and ayurvedic medicines
can ease the symptoms of HIV/Aids and cure cancer.

His petition was filed as gay activists extended their campaign for equality
in other areas of social life. A young couple in Haryana defied their
families to stage India's first gay wedding in a Hindu temple.




-- 
Aditya Raj Kaul

Freelance Correspondent, The Times of India
Cell -  +91-9873297834

Blog: http://activistsdiary.blogspot.com/