Ramdev and his associate Balkrishna are scheduled to appear in the Supreme Court today.
New Delhi: “Hours before the Supreme Court hearing in the misleading ads case, Patanjali Ayurved issued an apology in a national daily, emphasizing their utmost respect for the court and pledging not to repeat their mistakes.”
This comes after a Supreme Court court criticized Patanjali founders Yoga guru Ramdev and his assistant Balkrishna for the company’s false claims to be able to treat conditions including diabetes and hypertension. The court had already dismissed Ramdev and Balkrishna’s apology, deeming it “not heartfelt” and “more of a lip service”. The two were requested to come in today and show that they want to apologize during the most recent hearing on April 16.
“In an advertisement published in a national Hindi daily, Patanjali expressed its utmost respect for the Supreme Court. The ad stated, ‘We tender our heartfelt apology for the mistakes committed in publishing ads and holding press conferences despite the assurances by our counsel. We are committed not to repeat this mistake.'”
Responding to media inquiries after last week’s hearing, Ramdev stated, “I have said what I had to. I have full faith in the judiciary.”
The court rejected earlier apologies from Ramdev and Balkrishna, pointing out that the letters were sent to the media first. The contemnors did not think it appropriate to submit us the affidavits until the case was before the court. It is evident that they believe in publicity,” Justice Hima Kohli had stated.
Justice A. Amanullah, also on the bench, cautioned, “Tendering an apology is not sufficient. You must face the consequences for disregarding the court’s order.”
The problem began during the Covid era, when Patanjali introduced Coronil, a medication that Ramdev referred to as the “first evidence-based medicine for COVID-19” in 2021. Furthermore, according to Patanjali, Coronil was certified by the World Health Organization; however, the Indian Medical Association criticised this as a “blatant lie”.
The confrontation between the medical body and Patanjali intensified following a viral video of Ramdev, in which he remarked that allopathy was a “stupid and bankrupt science.” In response, the IMA sent a legal notice to Ramdev demanding an apology. Patanjali Yogpeeth defended Ramdev, stating that he was reading from a forwarded WhatsApp message and harbored no ill-will against modern science.
After Patanjali ran an advertising in newspapers with the phrase “Misconceptions Spread By Allopathy: Save Yourself And The Country From The Misconceptions Spread By Pharma And Medical Industry,” IMA filed a petition against the company in August 2022. The advertisement said that Patanjali medications had healed patients of asthma, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, high blood pressure, thyroid, and arthritis.
The doctors’ body highlighted the “continuous, systematic, and unabated spread of misinformation,” which coincides with Patanjali’s endeavors to make false claims about curing certain diseases through the use of Patanjali products.
On November 21 last year, the Supreme Court cautioned Patanjali against making such claims and warned of imposing heavy fines.
Patanjali’s counsel, as per court documents, then assured that “from now on, there will be no violation of any laws, particularly concerning the advertisement and branding of products.”
On January 15 this year, the Supreme Court received an anonymous letter addressed to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud with copies marked to Justices Kohli and Amanullah. The letter cited misleading advertisements Patanjali continued to publish. IMA’s counsel, Senior Advocate PS Patwalia, also presented to the court newspaper advertisements following the November 21, 2023 warning and transcripts of a press conference by Ramdev and Balkrishna after the court’s hearing.
The court subsequently requested a response from Patanjali regarding why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against it.
The court was informed on March 19 that Patanjali had failed to submit the response to the contempt notice. It then requested an in-person appearance from Ramdev and Balkrishna. During their hearing on April 2, the court severely criticized Ramdev and Balkrishna for their “absolute defiance” in failing to file the required affidavits on the deceptive marketing. On April 10, the Supreme Court dismissed the subsequent apologies, stating that they had been communicated to the media beforehand.
