'It shocks our conscience': Delhi High Court asks Baba Ramdev to take down videos targeting Rooh Afza

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali to immediately take down all its videos allegedly targeting Hamdard’s popular drink Rooh Afza as 'sharbat jihad'. The court said the remark shocked its conscience and was indefensible.

 

The controversy erupted earlier this month when Ramdev, while promoting Patanjali’s rose sharbat, claimed that the money earned from Hamdard’s Rooh Afza is used to build madrasas and mosques. However, later, Ramdev defended his remark and said that he did not name any brand or community.

 

Filing a suit against Ramdev, Hamdard sought the removal of the Yoga guru’s ad videos from social media. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Hamdard, submitted before the High Court that it was a shocking case that not only goes beyond the disparagement of the Rooh Afza product but also is a case of communal divide. He also termed it as hate speech.

 

While promoting a beverage from his Patanjali brand, Baba Ramdev stated, "Consuming that sharbat leads to the rise of madrasas and mosques. But if you drink this one (referring to Patanjali’s rose sharbat), it will contribute to the growth of gurukuls, the development of Acharya Kulam, the expansion of Patanjali University, and the progress of the Bharatiya Shiksha Board."

 

He further remarked, “Just as there is what some call 'love jihad', this too is a kind of 'sharbat jihad'. To safeguard against this 'sharbat jihad', this message must reach everyone.”

 

Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar appeared on behalf of Patanjali and Ramdev and said the advertisements, whether in print format or videos, will be taken down.

 

“I have advised. We are pulling down the videos,” Nayar said.

 

At this, Justice Bansal remarked, “I am glad you are appearing in the matter. I could not believe my eyes and ears when I saw this.”

 

The court ordered Ramdev to submit an affidavit undertaking that he shall not issue any statements, advertisements or social media posts in the future and slated the hearing for May 1.

 

This incident adds to a series of controversies involving Patanjali and its founder. Previously, the company faced legal scrutiny over misleading advertisements, resulting in the suspension of licences for 14 of its products by the Uttarakhand government. The Supreme Court also warned Patanjali against making unsubstantiated claims about its products. ​

India