Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has agreed to remove all advertisements—both print and video—targeting Hamdard National Foundation India's popular drink, Rooh Afza. The assurance was given before the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.
Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, appearing for Ramdev and Patanjali Foods Limited, informed the court that all controversial advertisements would be withdrawn. This came in response to a civil suit filed by Hamdard, objecting to Ramdev’s recent remark referring to their product as part of a “Sharbat Jihad”.
“The remark shocked the conscience of the Court and was indefensible,” said Justice Amit Bansal during the hearing.
The controversy started earlier this month when Ramdev, while promoting Patanjali's rose-flavoured sharbat, claimed that the profits from Rooh Afza were being used to build madrasas and mosques. Although Ramdev later claimed he never mentioned any brand or religious group, Hamdard approached the Court seeking the removal of these statements from all platforms.
Rajiv Nayar told the Court that his clients had no intention of offending any religion. However, the Court directed that this stand should be formally placed on record through an affidavit.
“Let the undertaking be filed. Such statements should not be repeated in future,” Justice Bansal remarked.
Accordingly, Nayar, under instructions, confirmed that all the disputed ads will be taken down. The Court granted Ramdev five days to file an affidavit confirming that he will not issue any further statements, ads, or social media posts that may be objectionable to Hamdard.
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Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Hamdard, described it as a clear case of promoting “communal divide” under the guise of business promotion. He argued that Ramdev's remarks went far beyond product criticism and amounted to hate speech.
“Calling it 'Sharbat Jihad' is not just product disparagement, it is a communal attack,” Rohatgi submitted.
He further pointed out that Ramdev is a public figure who can easily promote Patanjali’s products without targeting others. Rohatgi also referred to past instances when the Supreme Court had taken suo motu action against Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna for issuing misleading ads and making negative comments about allopathic medicine, in violation of their prior court undertaking.
The matter will now be heard again on May 1, when the affidavit is expected to be submitted.
Title: Hamdard National Foundation India v. Patanjali Food Limited & Anr.
