The Supreme Court has sent a notice regarding a public interest litigation that asks for Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy to be added to the Ayushman Bharat Healthcare Scheme.
The Supreme Court today acknowledged a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed under Article 32, which requests the addition of traditional Indian healthcare systems—Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy—to the National Health Protection Mission, known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) or Ayushman Bharat. The Bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, asked the government to respond to the PIL and set a hearing for three weeks later. The Chief Justice remarked, “We will issue notice here, let’s have the view of the government.”
Mehta stated, “His petitions are never ill-conceived.” The petition by Upadhyay points out that while PM-JAY mainly supports allopathic treatments for the economically disadvantaged and those below the poverty line, it overlooks important traditional systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, despite recommendations from the National Health Policy of 2017. The petition claims these indigenous medical practices, which are integral to Indian culture, have effectively met healthcare needs and should be included in the national program. The petitioner contends that even though the Centre promised and the Delhi High Court directed a quicker inclusion, these traditional systems have not yet been added to PM-JAY.
The PIL highlights that India’s extensive healthcare history, found in ancient texts like the Vedas and Upanishads, has been weakened by colonial policies that sidelined native practices. It also mentions a promise made by the Centre on March 1, 2024, to include traditional healthcare in PM-JAY, which has not been realized. “India boasts a wealth of traditions from sages, clearly documented in various scriptures, Vedas, Puranas, and Upanishads. Sadly, colonial policies have systematically diminished our cultural and scientific heritage. Foreign rulers, driven by profit, enacted laws that have gradually eroded our rich history,” states the PIL. Following a writ petition in the Delhi High Court in 2023, the court instructed the Centre to address the PIL promptly. However, the petitioner claims that Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy are still not part of Ayushman Bharat, leading to the current PIL in the Supreme Court, filed on November 4, 2024, seeking resolution.
Cause Title: Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay v. Union of India and Ors. [Diary No. 50851-202]
