GUWAHATI: Yoga guru and Patanjali Ayurved founder Baba Ramdev is facing legal heat after his controversial remarks targeting popular drink Rooh Afza. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, April 22 came down hard on Ramdev, with Justice Amit Bansal stating the remarks "shock the conscience of the court" and are "indefensible."
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The controversy stems from a recent promotional video for Patanjali's rose sherbet, in which Ramdev did not name Rooh Afza or its manufacturer Hamdard directly, but alleged that proceeds from a rival sherbet brand were being used to build mosques and madrasas. “If you drink that sherbet, mosques and madrasas will be built,” he said. “But if you drink Patanjali sherbet, gurukuls and Patanjali University will be built… Just like love jihad and vote jihad, there is also a sherbet jihad,” he added.
Hamdard responded by moving the Delhi High Court, seeking removal of the video and an injunction against such comments. Representing Hamdard, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that Ramdev’s statements amounted to hate speech and sought to fuel communal discord, beyond merely disparaging a rival product.
During the hearing, a proxy counsel initially sought a delay due to the main counsel’s unavailability. However, Justice Bansal insisted on their presence and hinted that failing to appear could result in a “very strong order.” Later in the day, Ramdev’s counsel Rajiv Nayar informed the court that the promotional content had been withdrawn.
The court has now directed Ramdev to submit an affidavit by next week, undertaking not to release any further statements, advertisements, or posts that Hamdard finds objectionable. The next hearing is scheduled for May 1.
