Yoga Guru ‘Tenders Apology’ For Misleading Ads, Supreme Court Criticizes Ramdev

Baba Ramdev has reached the Supreme Court in the midst of a controversy surrounding misleading advertisements of Patanjali’s medicinal products. The court, which had earlier pulled up Patanjali for failing to respond to court notices, directed Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved managing director Acharya Balkrishna to appear in person for the contempt proceedings related to the misleading advertisements case.

During the proceedings, an advocate representing Patanjali informed the court that they were tendering an unconditional apology. “He (Baba Ramdev) is here personally present to apologise,” the advocate stated.

However, the Supreme Court was not entirely convinced by the apology, calling it “lip service” and remarking that Patanjali “owes an apology to the whole nation” for their misleading claims. The court expressed disappointment in Patanjali’s actions, stating, “You have broken every barrier… Now you say that you are sorry.”

In the last hearing, the Supreme Court had expressed frustration with Patanjali for not filing replies to court notices, leading to contemplation of initiating contempt proceedings for violating the court’s directives.

 The court also directed its attention to the Centre, questioning why it appeared to have turned a blind eye to the situation. “We are wondering why the Centre chose to keep their eyes shut,” the court remarked.

The Supreme Court had previously directed Patanjali to halt all advertisements of its products that claimed to treat ailments and disorders specified in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. Despite this directive, Patanjali continued to publish “false and misleading” advertisements on medicinal cures, prompting the court’s strong response.

During the hearing, a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah issued a notice to Ramdev to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.

In response to the court’s rebuke, Patanjali Ayurved submitted an affidavit tendering an unconditional apology. The affidavit clarified that Patanjali’s intention was solely to encourage citizens to lead healthier lives by using its products and to provide solutions for lifestyle-related medical complications through Ayurveda.

The court’s action stems from a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which sought action against Baba Ramdev for criticising modern medicine. The case began in November 2023, when the Supreme Court instructed Patanjali Ayurved to cease misleading claims and advertisements against the modern system of medicine. Patanjali had given assurances to the court that it would refrain from making any unsubstantiated claims or statements.