Patanjali Ads Case: SC Asks Ramdev, Balkrishna To Issue Public Apology

The Supreme Court of India has granted Patanjali Ayurved founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna one week to publicly apologize in a case concerning misleading advertisements for health cures by the company. The court emphasized that it is not letting them “off the hook” for their actions. The next hearing for the matter is set for April 23, and both Ramdev and Balkrishna have been ordered to appear in court.

Background:

Lawsuit: The Indian Medical Association filed a lawsuit against Patanjali Ayurved, challenging the company’s advertisements that promoted the Ayush treatment system while disparaging modern, evidence-based medicine.
Allegations: Patanjali was accused of spreading misinformation about modern medicine and making unverified claims about health cures, including claims related to curing diseases such as heart conditions and asthma.
Court Rulings: In August 2022, the court addressed concerns regarding the misleading advertisements and statements made by Ramdev, including those against COVID-19 vaccines and oxygen cylinders during the pandemic’s second wave.

Recent Developments:

Contempt Notice: The Supreme Court issued a contempt notice to Ramdev and Balkrishna on February 27, 2024, for continuing to distribute misleading health cure advertisements and prohibited Patanjali from promoting products with unsubstantiated claims.
Apology Demanded: During a recent hearing on April 2, the court dismissed an apology affidavit submitted by Ramdev and Balkrishna in response to the contempt notice, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.

Court’s Stance:

Criticism: The court criticized Patanjali for circulating misleading claims and advertisements against modern medicine, warning that a fine of ₹1 crore could be imposed if such activities continued.
Response from Patanjali: Despite the court’s ruling, Patanjali issued a statement the day after the court’s criticism, denying any misleading claims about its products.
Instructions: The court directed Patanjali and its officials not to disparage any medical system in any form of media and ordered Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear in court.

Looking Ahead:

Hearing Date: The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for April 23, where Ramdev and Balkrishna are expected to appear in court.

The Supreme Court’s handling of this matter underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to ethical advertising practices, especially in matters related to public health and safety.