Hubballi/Bengaluru: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, speaking to reporters in Hubballi on Sunday, lashed out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over his controversial remarks linking the COVID-19 vaccine to rising heart attacks, calling it a “baseless and irresponsible” comment that insults India’s scientific community.
“This is a matter of great national pride. We developed a domestic vaccine during a time of global crisis and administered over 240 crore doses, with over 100 countries praising India for saving lives. At such a moment, making statements that demean our scientists and the country is highly condemnable,” said Joshi.
He cited the recent report by a state-appointed expert committee led by Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences Director Dr. K.S. Ravindranath, which concluded there is no link between COVID-19 vaccines and heart attacks. “The Chief Minister’s own panel has debunked his theory. He must issue a public apology,” Joshi said.
Joshi also reminded reporters that the initial push for vaccine development came directly from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who insisted on an indigenous vaccine after the first COVID case in India. “PM Modi was clear that not having a vaccine of our own would amount to national dependency. He released funds for ICMR and other scientific institutions and encouraged research and development at a war-footing,” Joshi added.
Slamming the Congress party, Joshi compared their statements to those made by Pakistan and China during previous crises like Operation Sindhura, suggesting that the party was undermining national interest for political mileage.
“Congress leaders, including Siddaramaiah, took the very vaccine they are now casting doubts on. At 74, he has received the vaccine himself—was it a foreign one or the same Indian vaccine he now criticises?” Joshi questioned.
The Union Minister reiterated that the Jayadeva-led panel, in consultation with national health institutions like AIIMS, ICMR, and NCDC, had concluded that no scientific evidence supported the vaccine-heart attack correlation. “This was a scientifically robust study, and yet Siddaramaiah irresponsibly politicised it. If he respects science and facts, he should apologise immediately,” Joshi demanded.
