An Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA has called on people to drink cow urine to stay safe from the coronavirus.
Surendra Singh posted a video on social media telling people that he is healthy because of a daily dose of cow urine and that others must drink it too.
Singh is the BJP's MLA from Bairia in Ballia.
In the video shot at his home, Singh, dressed in a white vest and dhoti, said that after brushing one’s teeth, one should mix five caps full of cow urine or cow urine essence in a glass of cold water and gulp it.
“There is one precaution to be taken, you must not eat anything for half an hour”, said Singh. He claimed that he owed his health to constant consumption of the "elixir".
He said that the drink was a "superpower" against many diseases, especially for heart diseases. “Most people in this disease are dying of heart attacks," he said.
Singh also said that this message from Ballia would go to the world and would save the world.
“Please accept my request and spread the word”, he said.
This is not the first time that cow urine has been touted as a cure for COVID-19. Before the coronavirus reached India’s shores, the All Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha was hosting cow dung and cow urine parties in different cities. The chief of the Mahasabha, Chakrapani Maharaj, had also called upon foreign governments to import cow urine from India to stay safe from the virus.
West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh was among those who have extolled the virtues of cow urine.
On May 7, the state reported 28,076 new COVID-19 cases and 372 deaths. Among those who lost their lives was Dal Bahadur Kori, a party MLA from Rae Bareli.