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Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury

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Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury
Born (1973-07-23) 23 July 1973 (age 51)[1]
India

Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury is a self-proclaimed doctor known for sharing medical conspiracy theories, including denialist conspiracies about COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes, for which he has been heavily criticized and his claims have been widely discredited.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Chowdhury's multiple YouTube and social media accounts have been terminated for spreading misleading health advice.[9] He is criticised for misleading audience by giving false scientific data.

Background

He is the author of several self-published books[10][11] and creator of two films. Despite Chowdhury's claims he is a doctor, he has no formal qualifications or medical training. He reportedly received an honorary PhD[4] in "diabetes science" from Alliance International University in Zambia, which is not accredited and has been described as an "online scam".[2][12][13][14] Chowdhury reportedly runs an online diploma mill named World Records University that sells fraudulent PhDs.[15][16]

Views

In 2019, Chowdhury published a his book "Diabetes Type 1 & Type 2 Cure in 72 Hrs," which argues that diabetes is not a medical disorder, but a "political disease."[17] It refers to diabetes as "the biggest ever deception of modern medical science."[17]

In August 2020, during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Chowdhury uploaded a video on YouTube calling for dropping the use of face masks, claiming that masks are a "form of slavery" and an ineffective method to control the virus.[18][19] He cautioned his followers against COVID-19 vaccines and said: "If anyone influences you to take the vaccine, he is part of a group that wants to end your life and property."[20]

Criticisms and Litigation

Several of Chowdhury's claims and theories surrounding COVID-19 have been debunked by multiple media outlets such as Firstpost, including his claims that face masks are ineffective at containing virus droplets.[21] His YouTube video promoting anti-mask conspiracy theories was taken down by Twitter for violating their terms of use.[22][3][23]

Indian health officials have referred to his "miracle diabetes cure" as fraudulent.[24] The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) in 2016[25][26] and 2017[27][28] found Chowdhury's advertisement for 'Diabetes Type 1 & Type 2 Cure in 72 Hrs' was false and grossly misleading. ASCI further stated that in making claims of curing diabetes, the advertisement was in breach of the law as it violated the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

A criminal complaint was filed against Chowdhury for falsely claiming to be a medical practitioner, offering fraudulent treatments, and failing to provide emergency care at courses he has run, which ultimately resulted in the death of a diabetic patient.[29][19]

References

  1. ^ Bhattacharyya, Gautam (9 April 2020). "COVID-19: Vitamin C, herd immunity the hope for India, Indian doctor says". Gulf News. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b Schulson, Michael (6 June 2018). "Are Google and Facebook Responsible for the Medical Quackery They Host?". undark.com.
  3. ^ a b "COVID-19 Denialists and Anti-Maskers Are Gaining Momentum in India". www.vice.com. 20 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Fraud Alert - Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury". 23 March 2020.
  5. ^ "This disease increases with diabetes / medicines, if you eat only fruits for breakfast, you will be in control". Dainik Bhaskar. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  6. ^ Kumar, Ashwani (3 August 2019). "Expert suggests diet to reverse diabetes in 72 hours". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  7. ^ "The doctor will mislead you now". Rest of World. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  8. ^ Mallick, Abhilash (11 February 2021). "Despite Social Media Ban, This Doctor Continues to Mislead People". TheQuint. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Coronavirus vaccine India: How vaccine myths are spreading in India - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  10. ^ Perappadan, Bindu Shajan (20 June 2015). "'Doctor' offers cure for diabetes in 72 hours, invites Minister". The Hindu.
  11. ^ Siwach, Sukhbir (21 January 2013). "Indian memory man to expose medical practices". The Times of India.
  12. ^ "Higher Education Authority (HEA),Zambia". 20 April 2018. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  13. ^ "'Substandard' university deregistered". 5 April 2018.
  14. ^ "Self-proclaimed doctor rallies India's anti-mask camp as cases soar". The Straits Times. 28 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Rape Convict Ram Rahim Has His PhD Revoked From Unrecognised 'World Record University' In UK". IndiaTimes. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  16. ^ Singh, IP (8 September 2017). "Unrecognized varsity to withdraw PhD conferred upon Gurmeet Ram Rahim". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  17. ^ a b CHOWDHURY, BISWAROOP ROY (2015). DIABITIES TYPE 1 & 2. [S.l.]: DIAMOND POCKET BOOKS. ISBN 978-93-5165-622-7. OCLC 1260191151.
  18. ^ Taskin, Bismee (18 August 2020). "Anti-mask group gives wake-up call; to boycott masks, says it's a sign of slavery". The Print. TP. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  19. ^ a b "The rise of India's 'Covid quack'", BBC News, 4 May 2021, retrieved 4 May 2021
  20. ^ "How vaccine myths are spreading in India". Times of India. ToI. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Masks don't make you breathe in more carbon dioxide: Debunking myths about their efficiency, effects on oral cavity". Firstpost. 19 August 2020.
  22. ^ Taskin, Bismee (18 August 2020). "Anti-mask group gives 'wake-up call' to boycott masks, says it's a sign of slavery".
  23. ^ "End of Modern Medicine: Author responds to criticism". The Statesman. 30 March 2019.
  24. ^ Perappadan, Bindu Shajan (20 June 2015). "'Doctor' offers cure for diabetes in 72 hours, invites Minister". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  25. ^ "ASCI upheld complaint against Advertisements - ASCI CCC Decisions: May 2016" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Health-Related Decisions and Recommendations, May 2016". Quackwatch. 24 January 2017.
  27. ^ "ASCI upheld complaint against Advertisements - ASCI CCC Recommendations: August 2017" (PDF).[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "ASCI bans 114 ads". 26 October 2017.
  29. ^ BBC: Complaint filed against popular Indian anti-vaxxer over COVID cure claim, Media Brief, 23 April 2021, retrieved 4 May 2021
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