Controversy Surrounds Naturopath Manoj Das on Shark Tank India
Exposure of Misleading Claims
New Delhi: Manoj Das, a naturopath and aromatherapist, has come under intense public scrutiny following his participation on Shark Tank India. Judges raised questions about his medical credentials, highlighting concerns regarding his significant Instagram following, which he built by promoting bold hair and skincare claims that lack scientific validation.
Criticism from the Judges
Das sought Rs 1 crore for 1% equity in his venture but faced sharp criticism from the panel. The judges accused him of being a “fraud” for spreading unscientific and exaggerated health claims. In the aftermath of the episode and subsequent viral clips on social media, Das removed the title “Dr” from his Instagram profile and reportedly deleted his social media accounts to escape the backlash.
Background on Manoj Das
Identifying as a naturopath and aromatherapist, Manoj Das operates a brand called Lewisia Wellness and has over 600,000 followers on Instagram. His official website claims to be “India’s #1 choice for natural skincare, haircare, and health care products.” His social media content included videos that purported to cure baldness and offer “glass skin” with glycerine, along with claims to treat various diseases. Medical experts have criticized these assertions as misleading and potentially harmful.
Questioning Credentials on Air
During the show, Anupam Mittal challenged Das to present his claims to the judges. When asked about his medical qualifications, Das stated that as an aromatherapist, he could refer to himself as a doctor, a claim that provoked outrage among the judges, who subsequently labeled him a fraud.
Concerns Raised by the Sharks
Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal, questioned whether Das sold his products through any marketplace, to which Das confirmed. He shared a video claiming to cure various ailments, leading the judges to express disbelief. They noted that no legitimate doctor guarantees 100% efficacy for treatments, especially for serious health issues, and criticized Das’s video for being misleading, emphasizing his lack of understanding of the wide range of diseases affecting people.
Expert Opinions on Das’s Claims
An NDTV report featured criticism from Mohit Yadav, co-founder of Minimalist, who accused Das of creating clickbait content that takes advantage of individuals’ insecurities. Yadav highlighted that the issues Das claimed to solve were not supported by scientific evidence. Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, described Das’s practices as “unethical” and encouraged him to reconsider his actions.
Public Backlash and Professional Critique
Following the episode’s release on YouTube, numerous medical professionals and viewers expressed concerns regarding the authenticity of Das’s qualifications and the legitimacy of his income from wellness products. Dr. Rahul Chawla, a neurologist trained at AIIMS, referred to Das as a “quack doctor” in a social media post, urging the public to verify the credentials of health influencers they follow.