Yoga guru skips IIT Madras conference on cancer
Ramdev's participation was opposed after his controversial remarks that related cancer to karma.
CHENNAI: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has decided to skip the 7th International Translational Cancer Research Conference organised by IIT Madras following the controversy over his participation as chief guest in the event.
The US-based MD Anderson Cancer Centre has also has backed out of sponsoring the event.
A section has opposed Ramdev’s participation in the cancer conference following his controversial remarks that related cancer to karma.
The theme of the conference is “Cancer prevention and treatment: From Ancient Medicine to Modern Medicine.”
Ramdev in agreement with Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Everything is related to karma, our birth and death are related to karma. Several reasons cause diseases and one among them is karma.”
“His name was suggested by the conference committee that comprises eminent scholars and oncologists. Following the controversy, he informed the organisers that he will not participate in the event,” sources in IIT Madras said.
MD Anderson Cancer Centre on February 4 tweeted that it was no longer sponsor for the 7th International Translatio-nal Cancer Research Conference organised by IIT Madras. It also claimed that its name and logo were being used by the organisers without its permission.
“The organising committee has gotten written permission from the MD Anderson Cancer Centre. We don’t know why they now backed out of the event,” the sources added.
The international conference will be conducted at Westin hotel in Taramani from February 8 to 11.