Kamal Haasan defends stand on nilavembu kashayam, a TN govt-endorsed remedy for dengue

Actor Kamal Haasan has defended his decision to request his fans not to distribute 'nilavembu kashayam', a Tamil Nadu government-endorsed remedy for dengue.

Tamil Nadu's Health department, and Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, have recommended the drink, which is made from papaya leaves. But no data has been released so far on its effectiveness.

Panic ensued after 'news' spread that consuming the drink causes impotency.

Kamal Haasan made his request on Twitter on Wednesday.

?????? ????????? ????????? ????????????? ??? ??????????? ????????? ????????????? ????????????? ??????????????????. ???? ?????? ??????????

- Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) October 18, 2017

In response, Tamil Nadu Minister Kadambur Raju said Kamal wasn't a scientist. A complaint was even filed against the actor.

Kamal Haasan then released a statement explaining his stand. "I'll praise anybody who tries to help the people. I only advised my fans not to distribute the drink until it's effectiveness is proven"

He added that he had only criticised the fact that "huge amounts" were being distributed "without any surety or doctor's guidelines." He also said he doesn't categorise medicine into siddha or allopathy.

The veteran actor said that if the state had problems tackling dengue, it should learn from its neighbour, Kerala.

More than 50 people have died as a result of dengue in Tamil Nadu. But that's just the official figure. The Opposition says the number is greater than 500.

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