The head of the dairy business of Yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved, Sunil Bansal, died of COVID-19 on May 19. He died at a time when the Yoga guru has courted controversies over his remarks against allopathic treatment for COVID-19.

Also read: No COVID-19 cases in Patanjali campus, says Ramdev refuting reports

Now, in a statement, Patanjali has said that the company had “no role” in Bansal’s “allopathic treatment,” reported PTI.

“He died of COVID-19 on May 19 in Rajasthan Hospital, Jaipur where his wife is a very senior health official of Government of Rajasthan,” the Haridwar-based company said in a statement.

“Patanjali didn’t have any role in his allopathic treatment which was largely coordinated by his wife,” Patanjali said, reflecting views similar to that of Ramdev.

“However we were concerned and used to ask for his well-being from his wife,” it added.

Bansal (57) was the vice president of Patanjali Ayurved’s Dairy Division. He was a specialist in dairy science and joined the Haridwar-based company’s dairy business in 2018 when it announced its plans to sell packaged cow milk and other milk-based products including curd, buttermilk and cheese.

Meanwhile, Ramdev on Sunday had to withdraw his statement made in a viral clip in which he is heard saying that “lakhs have died from taking allopathic medicines for COVID-19.” In other clips, he could be heard questioning the allopathic medicines and even the COVID-19 vaccines.

Also read: Ramdev’s comments irresponsible: Maha COVID task force member

His remarks were met with vociferous protests from the doctors’ association after which Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan asked him to withdraw the statement, which he termed as “extremely unfortunate”.