Guru Ramdev, founder of Patanjali Ayurveda Yoga, alleged that a cartel of corporations, pharmaceutical companies, intellectuals and politicians were working against his company. In an interview with the Economic Times, he said, “Patanjali stands for nationalism and self-respect and this group (the alleged cartel) is trying to destroy it.”
He alleged that misinformation is being spread about Patanjali and that rumours are floating around against its research and development facilities, which he claimed are better than those of Hindustan Unilever Ltd, India’s largest consumer goods maker and a government Ayurvedic facility.
“People try to tarnish Patanjali’s reputation when it comes to Ayurveda and natural foods. But we are focused on our goal of increasing investor value and strengthening distribution and sales, research, innovation and e-commerce. Premiumisation is also our core focus area now,” Ramdev said.
“Despite all the difficulties and hardships, we have reached this far. It is not because of anyone’s favour that we have reached this far, it is because of the Indian consumer,” he said.
Earlier, Patanjali Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Asthana said his company has a two-thirds share of the herbal toothpaste market and is the fourth-largest biscuit maker in the country with sales of 1.2 billion USD. ₹Its sales touched Rs 16 billion last year. “We have 10 brands that are demonstrating leadership in the business. The growth rate, whether in terms of market share or distribution, has been phenomenal,” he said.
Commenting on the Supreme Court’s order a few months ago to Patanjali to remove all its misleading advertisements, Ramdev told ET, “The issue before the Supreme Court was not about quality, it was not about any wrongdoing. The issue has now been resolved.”
