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.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Chowdhury's multiple YouTube and social media accounts have been terminated for spreading misleading health advice.[9]
Background
He is the author of several self-published books[10][11] 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[4] in "diabetes science" from Alliance International University in Zambia, which is not accredited and has been described as an "online scam".[2][12][13][14] Chowdhury reportedly runs an online diploma mill named World Records University that sells fraudulent PhDs.[15][16]
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."[17] It refers to diabetes as "the biggest ever deception of modern medical science."[17]
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.[18][19] 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."[20]
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.[21] His YouTube video promoting anti-mask conspiracy theories was taken down by Twitter for violating their terms of use.[22][3][23]
In 2005, Chowdhury worked on the Hindi film Yaad Rakhenge Aap,[24] which claimed could somehow enhance the viewer's memory,[25][11] 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.[26][27][28]
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.[34][19]
