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The Supreme Court delivered a scathing reprimand to Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, Managing Director of Patanjali Ayurved, for submitting improper versions of affidavits in response to a contempt notice issued by the court regarding the continued dissemination of misleading advertisements. The bench, led by Justice Hima Kohli, expressed incredulity at the claim that Patanjali’s media department was unaware of the undertaking given to the Supreme Court last November.
Patanjali had previously assured the top court that it would refrain from making casual statements about the medicinal efficacy of its products or advertising them in violation of the law. The company pledged not to release any statements against any system of medicine to the media in any form.
Despite these assurances, the bench, also comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, did not excuse the personal appearance of Ramdev and Balkrishna. They were directed to be present on the next date of listing as well.
The summons to Ramdev and Balkrishna were issued after Patanjali failed to respond to the contempt notice issued by the apex court.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for action against Patanjali for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. This legislation prohibits the advertisement of certain products for the treatment of specified diseases and disorders, including diabetes, heart diseases, high or low blood pressure, and obesity.
Ramdev has faced multiple FIRs filed across several states over his contentious comments regarding allopathic treatment of Covid-19. In a video, he controversially claimed, “More people have died due to allopathic medicines than due to lack of medical oxygen or shortage of beds.”
The Supreme Court’s stern response underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for accountability in advertising practices, particularly in the healthcare sector. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding truthfulness and transparency in public communications, especially when it concerns matters of health and well-being.
