Baba Ramdev And Balkrishna To Appear Supreme Court In Patanjali Ad Controversy

Supreme Court has summoned yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved’s managing director Acharya Balkrishna to appear before it on April 2. The court seeks an explanation from them regarding why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for violating its orders prohibiting advertisements claiming to cure diseases and discrediting modern medicine.

A bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah expressed dissatisfaction over the non-compliance of its earlier order dated February 27, which had requested a response from Patanjali and its MD. The court observed that the advertisements issued by Patanjali featuring Ramdev’s face were in direct contravention of the company’s previous undertaking to refrain from such advertisements.

The court’s order stated, “After reviewing the advertisements issued by respondent Patanjali, in defiance of the undertaking given to this court and noting the said advertisement by Acharya Ramdev, it is deemed necessary to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him under the Rules to Regulate Proceedings for Contempt of the Supreme Court, 1975. He has also violated provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.” Section 3 of this act prohibits any advertisement claiming diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of lifestyle diseases such as blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cervical spondylitis, obesity, and heart diseases.

The order was issued on a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which approached the court against Patanjali, alleging it was making false and misleading claims of curing diseases and discrediting modern medicine.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Patanjali, told the court, “Violation of the law is not contempt. Everyday many things happen. The last order was of February 27. Between that day and today, what have I done? Even if the court feels there is any further aggravation, I will convey to my client on what he needs to say.”

However, the bench responded, “The provisions of the 1954 act concern all individuals. On the last occasion too, there was material where it was alleged that Baba Ramdev called a press conference after our order was passed. There is nothing personal in this matter. We have only issued a show-cause notice. We are also making him (Swami Ramdev) a party. Let him respond.”

The court also rebuked the Centre for filing an affidavit late on Monday and warned that if its response was unsatisfactory, necessary orders would be passed on the next date.

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