INTERVIEWER:
Greetings, Gurudev.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Greetings, my son. Speak.
INTERVIEWER:
We often see a lot of people gathered at your temple. Despite the current COVID-19 situation, people are not following the restrictions and continue to visit. I would like to hear your thoughts on this, or perhaps you have a message for them?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I have something to say to everyone. Look, this is a contagious disease. It is better to follow the rules. The local police station has forbidden us from allowing outsiders to enter. But most people who come here are from outside—from all over West Bengal, all over India, and even from around the world.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
They received word and told me that I should not allow anyone to enter because of COVID. But who listens to whom? I keep telling them that the place is closed and the government has shut everything down, but people have no concern. They come saying they want to offer prayers, or they are in great danger, or someone is on their deathbed.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
The thing is, COVID is not a massive disease; it is a contagious one. In the old days, if someone got influenza, the whole house would get it. If someone had pox, it would spread through the family. That's why we used to be cautious. Like pox or influenza, it spreads easily. If it enters a house, everyone gets affected. There is no doubt about that.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
But the reality is that the TV channels have made it out to be something much bigger than it is. Whether by government order or not—and the government isn't even looking into it—why show so much of it? They keep repeating "COVID, COVID" and showing things in a way that people are becoming terrified. And as they say, "To fear is to die."
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
People are scared. I have heard that many people have stopped watching TV channels altogether. They have done the right thing. TV channels should be shut down. What is there to show about COVID every minute? The government is just doing this for profit. It's a huge business. You won't believe it, but I don't think there has ever been a bigger business in the world.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
If you get admitted to hospitals like Desun or others, it costs 1 lakh rupees just for cotton! That's what I hear; I haven't gone to see it myself. Many people who have been admitted come to me and tell me these things. I tell them, "You have money, so you got admitted," but this disease can be cured at home.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I know at least seven or eight doctors who stay in touch with me. When I ask them about COVID-19, they say, "Gurudev, it is not a major disease. It can be managed by staying at home; there is no problem."
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
However, there are some cases where it is difficult—for those who have severe breathing problems, kidney issues, or are on dialysis. It is not good for them. For those with lung or heart problems, this disease is fatal if it enters the body and isn't treated properly.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
But no real treatment is happening. There is no medicine, no proper care—just a 1 lakh rupee bill for cotton and 2 lakh for food. Bills are coming to 5, 8, or 10 lakh rupees. This is a "civilized" society? I don't think this happens in any civilized society. We are living in an uncivilized society where there is no law, no order.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I feel that these hospitals and nursing homes are taking all this money, but half of it is going elsewhere. They aren't keeping it all. I don't want to take names, but the money is being funneled into other sectors.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
And you know what felt the worst? A doctor fell ill, and his treatment cost 20 lakh rupees. One doctor treating another, and the cost is 20 lakhs! This is barbarism. It's worse than the barbarism of the Middle Ages. You'd be better off having a hand or ear cut off; at least you'd survive. Here, people are losing their life's savings and still not surviving.
INTERVIEWER:
Doctors aren't even looking out for other doctors.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Exactly. Doctors aren't looking out for doctors. This has happened because of the government's "grace." They are broadcasting on TV that 500 people are dying today, 2,000 tomorrow. They are creating panic. If someone sneezes or coughs, neighbors are told to call the authorities to take them away. It is unbearable.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
It is not even a disease; it's a type of flu. They are exaggerating it so much. These TV channels are maintaining medieval barbarism. They think they can do this by scaring people. Many people have stopped watching TV. By watching this constantly, people are making themselves sick. COVID is not the problem.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I spoke to a very high-level official recently. I won't name him. He said that schools will not open before November. Mid-day meals will only start after November. Exams might not even happen; they might just give marks based on the tasks students do at home. This is the information I am getting from the top.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
My point is, the government has its own agenda. Those who went to the hospital say they went to hell and came back. They feel they escaped the jaws of death—not because of the disease, but because of the experience.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
If you have money, you get admitted to places like Desun or Apollo. If you have 20-25 lakhs or a good Mediclaim policy, they take you in because they know they will get the money. They will never admit an ordinary person.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
The government's arrangements for COVID exist only on paper. On paper, there are many things. But in reality, you won't be able to get admitted anywhere, not even to a medical college.
INTERVIEWER:
No real work is being done.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
No, it won't be done. This is government policy. I am forced to say this: it is a huge policy to harass people. This is a medieval system. In the Middle Ages, they used to gouge out eyes or cut off hands. This is no less than that. People are suffering, and hospitals are turning them away, while the Chief Minister says no one should be turned away. That means there is a hidden understanding: "I will say it in words, but you do the opposite in practice."
INTERVIEWER:
So you are saying that in this COVID atmosphere, people are devastated, and on top of that, there is government-induced fear.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Yes, I am saying this medieval system must be abolished. The government should look into this. These big hospitals should be dealt with. What is the point of keeping them for the rich? Only the Tatas and Birlas can afford them, but most people can't even afford to eat. A doctor won't even look at you. If you have a cold or fever, they immediately say "COVID" and won't touch you. They won't even use a stethoscope. They just write a prescription from a distance. This is barbaric.
INTERVIEWER:
You mean the government is fully involved in this.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
It couldn't happen otherwise, my brother. From what I see and from talking to the 100-150 people who come to see me every day, it's clear the government is involved. A hospital cannot charge that much money for cotton—it's unheard of anywhere in the world.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
There are plenty of beds available, but unless you are an influential person or someone makes a phone call, you can't get one. Where will the common man go?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
We have a doctor here who took responsibility for everyone in this neighborhood who got COVID. He tested the whole neighborhood. If a house was affected, he tested everyone. They all came back negative. How many such people are there?
INTERVIEWER:
So, Gurudev, regarding the people coming to your temple now, will you forbid them?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I am repeatedly saying: Please do not come now. It won't do any good because I won't be seeing anyone. But as I told you, people come with excuses—someone is in the hospital, someone is starving, a daughter has run away. These things force me to see them.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
But I am telling everyone: Don't come. It is scientifically proven that if you come, five more people might get sick. What is the need to come right now?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
But who listens? I haven't opened a business here. In this pandemic, hospitals should have been compassionate, but they are being barbaric. Like I said, it's medieval. These doctors on TV give big speeches, but they are taking money behind the scenes. It's like a "sweet knife" (betrayal)—they say one thing and do another.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
This can't go on for long. People are not fools. The administration thinks people are fools, but people have become clever and are starting to understand. I request the TV channels to stop showing this. The consequences will be terrible.
INTERVIEWER:
And people should stay away from the temple for a while?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I am repeatedly requesting: Brother, do not come to the temple now. This is a contagious disease. One person can harm fifty others. Although COVID has calmed down a bit—I see people getting better in 3-4 days at home now—most people don't even say they have it anymore. They get treated by their own doctors and are fine. They might have a headache or some pain for a few days, but they recover.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Only those with breathing issues need oxygen or inhalers. There is no specific medicine for this. So what is the point of all this exaggeration? No medicine has been found, and I don't think one will be found. But people are being made fools as much as possible. If you ask a doctor privately, they will tell you they have no medicine for COVID. They are just using high-dose antibiotics to stop it.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
How much can an antibiotic cost? How much should a hospital bed cost? This is medieval barbarism. If this continues, the administration will soon feel the consequences. I blame the administration for this.
INTERVIEWER:
My respects to you, Gurudev.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
My blessings, son. My blessings.