Coming down hard on yoga guru Ramdev, the Delhi High Court on Monday said his remarks on beverage Rooh Afza are shocking and inexcusable. The matter relates to Ramdev’s comments on the product by Hamdard that were widely criticised for their communal undertones, triggering the beverage maker to file a legal suit objecting to the act. In a video post that appeared on April 3, while promoting his company’s product Gulaab Sharbat, the yoga guru accused Hamdard of indulging in what he described as alleged “sharbat jihad”, by using its profits to fund the construction of mosques and madrasas.
Ramdev, co-founder of ayurvedic product maker Patanjali Ayurved, submitted in the court that the said videos and social media content containing the remark would be taken down. Hamdard described the remarks as an attempt to create a “communal divide” while disparaging its product, the popular drink Rooh Afza.
Justice Amit Bansal expressed strong disapproval of Ramdev’s remarks, saying: “When I saw this ad, I could not believe my ears and eyes… He can keep these thoughts in his mind but should not express them.” The Delhi High Court judge directed the yoga guru to submit an affidavit stating that that he would refrain from making such remarks going forward.
‘Ramdev’s remarks shock the conscience of the court’
“It shocks the conscience of the court. It is indefensible. You (counsel for Ramdev) take instructions from your client otherwise there will be a strong order,” said Justice Bansal.
Representing Patanjali and Ramdev, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar told the court that the controversial advertisements would be removed across print or video formats and social media posts.
Ramdev had initially defended his remarks, stating that he did not name any brand or community.
Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sandeep Sethi represented Hamdard in the case.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled on May 1.
Legal experts say that the case underlines the growing concerns over the use of communal rhetoric in public discourse and its potential to harm social harmony.
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