Meet ‘Protein Baba’: The Self-Proclaimed Healer Selling Hope and Herbal Cures
A Controversial Figure Promising to Cure HIV and Cancer
On the eve of Janmashtami, in a gated building in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Sant Trilochan Das sits on a beige sofa over a Persian rug, surrounded by devoted followers. The head of Das Dharam, a Namdhari Sikh sect, Das claims to have successfully treated patients suffering from terminal illnesses, including HIV and late-stage cancers.
“We specialise in curing HIV and end-stage cancers. We have healed hundreds of fourth-stage breast cancer patients,” he states with confidence. His website claims to have treated over 10 lakh patients in under four years.
Despite the lack of scientific validation for these claims, his followers remain steadfast in their faith. Outside his durbar, over two lakh devotees wait for a chance to meet him, seeking spiritual guidance and alternative healing. Among them is Amanpreet Kaur, eight months pregnant, who believes in Das’s ability to help her unborn child diagnosed with a kidney cyst.
“I don’t want any medical help. I have seen people come here in the last stages of diseases and walk out healthy and smiling. I know my baby will be fine if I follow your advice,” she tells Das in a room filled with his supporters.
The Rise of a Herbal Empire
Sant Trilochan Das’s growing influence extends beyond spiritual healing. In 2015, he launched a pharmaceutical business, offering herbal products that claim to cure serious illnesses. Among them is a Whey protein powder, which he passionately promotes at his satsangs. His followers have nicknamed him ‘Protein Baba’ due to his frequent endorsements of the product.
Holding up a 1.3 kg box priced at ₹2,500, he tells his audience, “It took me two to two-and-a-half years to create this formula. I have poured all my energy into perfecting it.” Many of his followers, including elderly individuals, claim that consuming the powder has alleviated body pain and weakness.
His company, Abhimantrit GuruPrasadam Ayurveda Herbal Foods Private Limited, sells these products under the brand name Guru Prasadam, which translates to ‘blessings from the guru’. The product range extends beyond protein powder to include herbal remedies for cancer, hepatitis, paralysis, neurological disorders, and even de-addiction.
Government Scrutiny and Medical Concerns
Das asserts that his medicines are approved by the Ministry of Ayush, the government body overseeing Ayurveda and alternative medicine in India. He also claims to have secured agreements with African governments for selling his products.
However, the Ministry of Ayush has refuted these claims. “We have not approved any such products, and legal action will be taken,” said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary of the ministry. Research officer Rajeshwari Singh added, “We plan to issue a show cause notice after completing legal consultations.”
Medical professionals warn against unverified claims of miracle cures. Dr. K.K. Aggarwal, former president of the Indian Medical Association, states, “Any company that claims to treat non-treatable diseases is misleading people and must be held accountable. Patients in desperate situations are often misled, which keeps them from receiving proper medical treatment.”
A Business Model Built on Faith
Despite controversies, Guru Prasadam continues to thrive, with its products available at 500 centres across India and through e-commerce. The company’s website reportedly receives over one lakh daily visitors. According to a retail analyst, if 2.35% of visitors make purchases, daily sales revenue could reach ₹5.87 lakh, with estimated annual revenue touching ₹21 crore.
The company remains tight-lipped about financial details but is preparing to launch a new website to handle increasing demand. “We are experiencing huge traffic on our current site, which is struggling to keep up. Within a week, we will launch a new website as smooth as Amazon’s,” a company official shared.
For now, Sant Trilochan Das continues to attract thousands of followers seeking hope, healing, and his herbal remedies. While faith can be powerful, experts caution that when it comes to life-threatening diseases, scientific treatment remains the safest path.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
