The rise of Indiaβs βCovid quackβ
As India struggles with a surge in Covid-19 cases, we investigate one man whoβs spreading outrageous medical falsehoods β and making money from them.
As India struggles with a surge in Covid-19 cases, it is also dealing with a wave of misinformation about the virus and vaccines.
Although now banned from Facebook and YouTube, self-proclaimed nutritionist Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury built his social media stardom by claiming that conventional medicine is almost entirely wrong about coronavirus.
Labelled a dangerous βquackβ by his critics, Chowdhury has a track record of spreading outrageous medical falsehoods. He is opposed to all vaccines and even claims AIDS is not caused by HIV.
During the global pandemic he has gained a new audience by spreading conspiracy theories about Covid-19, which he calls βthe scandal of the millenniumβ.
Chowdhury says β contrary to scientific evidence - that masks and lockdowns are harmful and warns that hospital treatment only increases a patientβs chances of dying.
He claims to have βcuredβ thousands of Covid-19 patients through diet alone and has set up a course where followers can pay to learn his methods. We challenge his bogus claims and uncover new details about the death of one of his followers.
Presenter: Mike Wendling
Reporter: Reha Kansara
Producer: Ed Main
With reporting by: Shruti Menon, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Reality Check, Delhi
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