Navjot Singh Sidhu’s Wife Faces ₹850 Crore Notice Over Cancer Treatment Claims
Navjot Singh Sidhu’s Wife Faces ₹850 Crore Notice Over Cancer Treatment Claims
Civil society challenges claims of cancer recovery through dietary changes, demanding evidence and public clarification.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, the former cricketer-turned-politician, and his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu have been issued a ₹850 crore legal notice by the Chhattisgarh Civil Society (CCS) over controversial cancer treatment claims. The CCS alleges that statements made by Sidhu during a press conference on November 21 regarding his wife’s recovery from stage 4 cancer in 40 days through a “special diet” are misleading and potentially harmful.
Key Allegations
• Misleading Claims: Sidhu asserted that dietary changes—such as eliminating sugar, wheat, and dairy—starve cancer cells, suggesting this contributed to his wife’s recovery.
• Public Health Concerns: CCS convener Dr. Kuldeep Solanki stated that such claims could lead cancer patients to abandon allopathic treatments, endangering their lives.
• Demand for Evidence: The notice requests that Navjot Kaur Sidhu provide medical evidence supporting these claims and issue a public clarification within seven days.
Medical Community’s Response
• Lack of Scientific Basis: Over 260 oncologists from Tata Memorial Hospital, including its Director Dr. C.S. Pramesh, condemned the statements, emphasizing there is no high-quality evidence to support the efficacy of dietary changes as a standalone cancer cure.
• Potential Harm: Experts highlighted the risk of creating distrust in proven medical treatments, urging responsibility in public statements regarding health issues.
Sidhu’s Clarification
Sidhu later posted on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging the role of doctors in his wife’s treatment. He stated her recovery was achieved through a combination of surgeries, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and a strict diet, describing the approach as “immunotherapy.” He clarified that the dietary recommendations were made in consultation with doctors.
The controversy underscores the delicate balance between personal recovery narratives and public health messaging. While the Sidhu family maintains their claims were informed by medical advice, the lack of scientific consensus has drawn criticism from both civil society and the medical community. Further developments will hinge on the evidence provided by Navjot Kaur Sidhu and the CCS’s response to her clarification.
