Yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda managing director Acharya Balkrishna on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court for holding a press conference and advertising in violation of court orders. He apologized directly and said he was prepared to issue a “public apology to show repentance.” .
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Ramdev and Balkrishna, told Justice Hima Kohli’s court: “I want them to show their repentance and show that they are not paying lip service to the court.” I am willing to apologize publicly to let the people know.” And Mr. Afsanuddin Amanullah.
Why didn’t you bring evidence to support your claims to a multidisciplinary medical panel, refrain from disrespecting other health systems, and parade your patients on stage to make your case? In response to a question from , Ramdev said: tathya ke prati 100 percent, jagrook rahunga (I will be 100 percent careful about this fact from now on). It’s not good for me to have something like this happen. It happened in the enthusiasm for work. This will not be done in the future. ”
The court filed a complaint on November 21, 2023 over a press conference held by the yoga guru in Haridwar on November 22, 2023 and an advertisement published by the company on December 4, 2023. “From now on, Patanjali Ayurveda must not violate any laws, especially with regard to advertising and branding of products manufactured and sold by Patanjali Ayurveda, and furthermore, must not make any claims of medicinal efficacy or claims that are contrary to any system of medicine.” Casual statements shall not be published or communicated to the media in any form.”
Taking note of Tuesday’s submissions, the court adjourned the hearing until April 23. In the order, it said, “Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared on behalf of the accused candidates, attests himself and submits that they (Mr. Ramdev and Mr. Balkrishna) will prove their authenticity. I have submitted a proposal.” Something needs to be done…and he requests a week’s time to undo the aforementioned aspects. The Court has interacted with the candidates and heard their submissions. At the defendant’s request, please list on April 23rd (next hearing). ”
The bench informed the pair that it has not yet decided whether to forgive him or not, as his past history also needs to be taken into account.
Judge Kohli told Rohatgi: “At this point we are not saying they are indifferent either.”
In an interaction with the bench in Hindi, Ramdev said at the outset that he had already offered an “unconditional and unqualified” apology for the “mistake”.
Justice Kohli then said that Ayurveda has been in existence since the time of Maharishi Charak. She pointed out that other systems of medicine like Siddha and Unani also exist and asked whether it was necessary to malign other systems of medicine to promote Ayurveda.
Ramdev replied that he never meant to disrespect the court. He said Patanjali had made a lot of efforts to make Ayurveda an evidence-based practice, but did not want to criticize other medical systems.
Justice Kohli said that if there was evidence of the therapeutic effects of drugs, instead of parading someone on stage and announcing that he was cured of all diseases, a multidisciplinary medical board set up under the Union of India I told him that I should have consulted him.
Justice Kohli added that no one has the right to speak ill of another system to promote his own.
Ramdev agreed that he shouldn’t have said that and promised to be careful in the future.
Justice Kohli said the law does not allow advertising of medicines for incurable diseases. Neither the IMA nor the drug companies can do that, she reminded them.
Justice Amanutullah said the law applies to everyone.
Responding to a question from the bench, Mr Balkrishna agreed with Mr Ramdev and said he regretted what had happened “out of ignorance” and said: “I will be careful not to repeat the same thing in the future.”
Justice Amanathula praised Ramdev’s work in promoting Ayurveda, but said allopathy cannot be denigrated.
Ramdev replied. “Bahut gharti hui, uska karan yeh hai ki pere bhi yeh do system ke bhuna main sangharsh chalta raha. Abhi tak bi isko (Ayurveda) Pseudoscience kaha jaat hai. Ayurveda “is still called ‘pseudoscience’. It was not my intention to disparage any system, let alone allopathy.”
He further added, “Aage se diyan rakenge. “Aur 100 pratishat iske prathi satark rahenge (I will be careful from now on. I will be 100% cautious).”
The Supreme Court is hearing a petition filed in 2022 by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleging a smear campaign against the coronavirus vaccination drive and modern healthcare system.
Ramdev and Balkrishna had earlier offered an “unconditional and unqualified apology” in the Supreme Court over advertisements published by the company that made exaggerated claims about the medicinal properties of its products.
