Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury
{{short description|Indian medical conspiracy theorist}}
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{{Infobox person
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1973|7|23}}{{cite web |last1=Bhattacharyya |first1=Gautam |title=COVID-19: Vitamin C, herd immunity the hope for India, Indian doctor says |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/covid-19-vitamin-c-herd-immunity-the-hope-for-india-indian-doctor-says-1.70891357 |publisher=Gulf News |access-date=4 July 2020 |date=9 April 2020}}
| birth_place = India
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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.{{cite web|url=https://undark.org/aids-denialism-quackery-facebook-youtube/|title=Are Google and Facebook Responsible for the Medical Quackery They Host?|website=undark.com|first=Michael|last=Schulson|date=6 June 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxqkj5/coronavirus-denialism-and-anti-mask-movement-are-gaining-momentum-in-india|title=COVID-19 Denialists and Anti-Maskers Are Gaining Momentum in India|website=www.vice.com|date=20 August 2020 }}{{Cite web|url=https://badscience.in/biswaroop-roy-chowdhury/|title=Fraud Alert - Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury|date=23 March 2020}}{{cite news |title=This disease increases with diabetes / medicines, if you eat only fruits for breakfast, you will be in control |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/health/healthy-life/news/interview-of-dr-biswaroop-roy-chowdhury-about-diabetes-cure-in-72-hrs-0603646.html |access-date=4 July 2020 |newspaper=Dainik Bhaskar |date=24 September 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Ashwani |title=Expert suggests diet to reverse diabetes in 72 hours |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/uae-health/expert-suggests-diet-to-reverse-diabetes-in-72-hours-1 |publisher=Khaleej Times |access-date=4 July 2020 |date=3 August 2019}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-02 |title=The doctor will mislead you now |url=https://restofworld.org/2020/the-doctor-will-mislead-you-now/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Rest of World |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mallick |first=Abhilash |date=2021-02-11 |title=Despite Social Media Ban, This Doctor Continues to Mislead People |url=https://www.thequint.com/fit/fit-webqoof/despite-social-media-ban-this-doctor-continues-to-mislead-people |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=TheQuint |language=en}} Chowdhury's multiple YouTube and social media accounts have been terminated for spreading misleading health advice.{{Cite news|title=Coronavirus vaccine India: How vaccine myths are spreading in India - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-vaccine-myths-are-spreading-in-india/articleshow/79723097.cms|access-date=2021-01-07|website=The Times of India}}
Background
He is the author of several self-published books{{cite news |last1=Perappadan |first1=Bindu Shajan |title='Doctor' offers cure for diabetes in 72 hours, invites Minister |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/doctor-offers-cure-for-diabetes-in-72-hours-invites-minister/article7335402.ece |work=The Hindu |date=20 June 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Siwach |first1=Sukhbir |title=Indian memory man to expose medical practices |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Indian-memory-man-to-expose-medical-practices/articleshow/18118899.cms |work=The Times of India |date=21 January 2013}} 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 in "diabetes science" from Alliance International University in Zambia, which is not accredited and has been described as an "online scam".{{Cite web|url=https://www.hea.org.zm/index.php/component/k2/item/80-hea-to-audits-on-all-heis|title=Higher Education Authority (HEA),Zambia|date=20 Apr 2018|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=10 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110151751/https://www.hea.org.zm/index.php/component/k2/item/80-hea-to-audits-on-all-heis|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/substandard-university-deregistered/|title='Substandard' university deregistered|date=5 April 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/self-proclaimed-doctor-rallies-indias-anti-mask-camp-as-cases-soar|title=Self-proclaimed doctor rallies India's anti-mask camp as cases soar|date=28 August 2020|website=The Straits Times}} Chowdhury reportedly runs an online diploma mill named World Records University that sells fraudulent PhDs.{{Cite web|date=2017-09-17|title=Rape Convict Ram Rahim Has His PhD Revoked From Unrecognised 'World Record University' In UK|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/rape-convict-ram-rahim-has-his-phd-revoked-from-unrecognised-world-record-university-in-uk-329926.html|access-date=2021-05-20|website=IndiaTimes|language=en-IN}}{{Cite web|date=8 September 2017|first=IP|last=Singh|title=Unrecognized varsity to withdraw PhD conferred upon Gurmeet Ram Rahim|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/unrecognized-varsity-to-withdraw-phd-conferred-upon-gurmeet-ram-rahim/articleshow/60416075.cms|access-date=2021-05-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}
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."{{Cite book |last=CHOWDHURY |first=BISWAROOP ROY |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1260191151 |title=DIABITIES TYPE 1 & 2. |date=2015 |publisher=DIAMOND POCKET BOOKS |isbn=978-93-5165-622-7 |location=[S.l.] |oclc=1260191151}} It refers to diabetes as "the biggest ever deception of modern medical science."
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.{{cite web|last1=Taskin|first1=Bismee|title=Anti-mask group gives wake-up call; to boycott masks, says it's a sign of slavery|url=https://theprint.in/india/anti-mask-group-gives-wake-up-call-to-boycott-masks-says-its-a-sign-of-slavery/484224/|access-date=25 January 2021|website=The Print|date=18 August 2020 |publisher=TP}}{{citation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-56845610 |title=The rise of India's 'Covid quack' |website=BBC News |date=4 May 2021 |accessdate=4 May 2021}} 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."{{cite news|title=How vaccine myths are spreading in India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-vaccine-myths-are-spreading-in-india/articleshow/79723097.cms|access-date=25 January 2021|website=Times of India|publisher=ToI}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/health/masks-dont-make-you-breathe-in-more-carbon-dioxide-debunking-myths-about-their-efficiency-effects-on-oral-cavity-8729211.html|title=Masks don't make you breathe in more carbon dioxide: Debunking myths about their efficiency, effects on oral cavity|date=19 August 2020|website=Firstpost}} His YouTube video promoting anti-mask conspiracy theories was taken down by Twitter for violating their terms of use.{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/anti-mask-group-gives-wake-up-call-to-boycott-masks-says-its-a-sign-of-slavery/484224/|title=Anti-mask group gives 'wake-up call' to boycott masks, says it's a sign of slavery|first=Bismee|last=Taskin|date=18 August 2020}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/lifestyle/health/end-of-modern-medicine-author-responds-to-criticism-1502742064.html|title=End of Modern Medicine: Author responds to criticism|date=30 March 2019|magazine=The Statesman}}
In 2005, Chowdhury worked on the Hindi film Yaad Rakhenge Aap,{{Cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=1640|title=Movie Yaad Rakhenge Aap|publisher=Box Office India}} which claimed could somehow enhance the viewer's memory,{{cite web |last1=Bhakoo |first1=Shivani |title=Now, movie to enhance memory |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060518/ldh1.htm#4 |publisher=Tribune India |date=17 May 2005}} and in 2006 he announced the film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. This triggered a dispute with director Karan Johar, who was making his own film under the same name; both claimed that the title was registered with them.{{cite web |title=Screen On & Off |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/screen-on-off/cid/1276823 |publisher=Telegraph India |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=23 August 2005}}{{cite web |title=Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna in a title controversy |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/kabhi-alvida-na-kehna-in-a-title-controversy/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=7 September 2005}}{{cite web |title=2 films titled 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/2-films-titled-kabhi-alvida-na-kehna-tamil-news-21698.html |work=India Glitz |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=11 April 2006}}
Indian health officials have referred to his "miracle diabetes cure" as fraudulent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/doctor-offers-cure-for-diabetes-in-72-hours-invites-minister/article7335402.ece|title='Doctor' offers cure for diabetes in 72 hours, invites Minister|first=Bindu Shajan|last=Perappadan|newspaper=The Hindu |date=20 June 2015|via=www.thehindu.com}} The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) in 2016{{Cite web|url=https://ascionline.org/images/pdf/press%20release%20-%20asci%20ccc%20decisions%20may%202016.pdf|title=ASCI upheld complaint against Advertisements - ASCI CCC Decisions: May 2016|access-date=9 November 2020|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113043814/https://ascionline.org/images/pdf/press%20release%20-%20asci%20ccc%20decisions%20may%202016.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://quackwatch.org/cases/foreign/asci/2016-2/05-2/|title=Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Health-Related Decisions and Recommendations, May 2016|website=Quackwatch|date=24 January 2017 }} and 2017{{Cite web|url=https://ascionline.org/images/pdf/asci_august17_ccc_recomm_press_release.pdf|title=ASCI upheld complaint against Advertisements - ASCI CCC Recommendations: August 2017}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneylife.in/article/asci-bans-114-ads-including-airtel-amazon-haier-dove-fair-and-lovely-complan-and-kelloggs-in-august-2017/51998.html|title=ASCI bans 114 ads|date=26 October 2017}} 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.{{citation |url=https://mediabrief.com/bbc-complaint-filed-against-anti-vaxxer/ |title=BBC: Complaint filed against popular Indian anti-vaxxer over COVID cure claim |publisher=Media Brief |date=23 April 2021 |accessdate=4 May 2021}}
References
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External links
- {{IMDb name|7216711|name=Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chowdhury, Biswaroop Roy}}
Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema
Category:Indian male film actors