What’s the story?
Baba Ramdev, yoga guru and co-founder of Patanjali Ayurveda, is likely to appear in the Supreme Court on Tuesday in a “misleading advertising” case.
On March 19, the court restrained the company from responding to a contempt notice in the case and ordered Ramdev and Patanjali’s managing director Acharya Balkrishna to appear.
Two days later, Balkrishna apologized in the Supreme Court for making misleading claims about his product and its medicinal properties.
Why is this story important?
On February 27, the SC directed Patanjali to immediately cease all electronic and print advertisements containing “misleading information” about its products.
The Center also came under heavy criticism for not taking any action against the company’s false advertisements.
The court criticized the government for “sitting with its eyes closed”.
This comes after the court warned Patanjali against making “misleading” claims in advertisements while hearing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association in November 2023.
Balkrishna’s “inappropriate apology”
Balkrishna made an “unqualified apology” in an affidavit last month and vowed not to distribute such advertisements in the future.
He also said that Patanjali’s aim is to encourage the public to adopt a healthier lifestyle by using its products, which are backed by Ayurvedic research.
He added that the Drugs and Magical Cures (Offensive Advertising) Act, which bans advertising promoting magical cures, is “outdated”.
Balkrishna claimed that Patanjali now has “evidence-based scientific data” from clinical studies conducted in Ayurveda.
Death penalty if false claims proven: Ramdev
After the SC issued the warning in November, Ramdev fired back, saying his company was not spreading false information.
He claimed that Patanjali treats diseases such as type 1 diabetes, thyroid problems, high blood pressure and obesity through yoga, Ayurveda and natural remedies.
Regarding the SC’s warning, he said he would respect the courts, the country’s laws and the constitution.
Instead, he challenged the authorities, saying, “If we are spreading false claims… give us the death penalty.”
IMA highlights derogatory statements in ads
To recall, IMA, in its petition, had highlighted several advertisements that allegedly portrayed allopathy and doctors in a negative light.
IMA claimed that the “derogatory” statements were made by companies manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines and were intended to mislead the public.
IMA’s lawyers pointed out that these advertisements imply that medical workers themselves are dying despite taking the latest medicines.
The Supreme Court had previously asked lawyers representing the center to find a solution to misleading medical advertising.
