Yoga guru and Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev on Tuesday, April 22, agreed to take down all videos and advertisements targeting Hamdard Laboratories’ popular drink, Rooh Afza. The move comes after the Delhi High Court came down heavily on him for using communal slurs during a product promotion. Justice Amit Bansal, who presided over the case, said the remarks were "indefensible" and "shocked the conscience of the court."
The court was hearing a defamation suit filed by Hamdard against Ramdev and Patanjali, and directed Ramdev to immediately take down the video and to file an affidavit undertaking that he would refrain from making such statements or advertisements in the future.
The controversy stems from comments made by Ramdev on April 3 while promoting Patanjali’s product ‘Gulab Sharbat’, which is a product of Patanjali. He accused Hamdard of using the profits of Rooh Afza (a sharbat of Hamdard) profits to build madrasas and masjids, and referred to the situation as “sharbat jihad.” Ramdev later defended his comments, saying he had not named any specific brand or community. Both Rooh Afza and Gulab Sharbat are rose-flavored, sweet syrups.
Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, appearing for Ramdev and Patanjali, informed the Court that all impugned content, whether in print or video, would be withdrawn.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Hamdard, told the Court that Ramdev’s remarks amounted to hate speech and were an attack on the religion of the company’s founders. "This is a case which is shocking, which goes beyond disparagement. This is a case of creating communal divide, akin to hate speech," Rohatgi argued. He also urged the Court to act firmly, saying, "A hard hand is required to nip this in the bud."
Justice Bansal agreed, stating that Ramdev was free to hold political opinions but should not express views that disparage others based on religion. "He can hold these opinions in his head, need not express them," the judge remarked. Ramdev has been asked to file an affidavit within five days. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on May 1.