The proposed visit of the renowned yoga Guru Swami Ramdev to Metro Vancouver next month has evoked a sharp reaction within the Indo-Canadian community.

While the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) has arranged for his visit to hold a yoga camp in Surrey, other progressive groups have raised their hackles and are cautioning the public about some of his controversial practices. Among them are the Taraksheel Sabha, a group of Indian rationalists, and the Indo-Canadian Workers’ Association.

The Taraksheel Sabha, which continues its campaign in India against superstition and spiritual gurus promoting blind faith, is upset over Ramdev’s claims that he can cure AIDS and cancer through yoga. It has also been educating people about the misleading claims of those promoting herbal treatments.

The Taraksheel Sabha is also angry over the controversy surrounding allegations that Ramdev’s medicines make use of animal and human parts.

The Taraksheel Sabha clarifies that it’s not against yoga or alternative medication, but is concerned about quackery, which can harm people’s lives. Similarly, the Indo-Canadian Workers’ Association, which is aligned with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), is surprised at PICS’ decision to invite somebody like Ramdev.

It was CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat who first brought to light alleged exploitation of workers at one of Ramdev’s Indian health centers.

Ironically, PICS, which claims to be a champion of workers’ rights, has invited a guru whose center is being accused of denying minimum wages to its workers. Additionally, PICS leader Charan Gill was at the forefront of the campaign to form the Canadian Farm Workers’ Union.

Gill claims that he has invited Ramdev only to promote healthy lifestyles and to discourage substance abuse in the community. However, he claims ignorance about the allegations of workers’ abuse and promises to raise this issue once Ramdev is here.

Although yoga is a good exercise and helps in reducing stress and increases mental and physical strength, people who find it helpful should also be aware of the controversial side of a person like Ramdev.

They should be judgmental about the activities of the spiritual gurus and the claims of alternative medicines for their own safety and to avoid deception. Only recently two Indo-Canadians fell ill after taking herbal medicines in Metro Vancouver, prompting a warning from B.C.’s Drug and Poison Control Information Centre.