Delhi High Court Slams Baba Ramdev Over 'Sharbat Jihad' Remark Against Hamdard’s Rooh Afza

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday strongly criticized Yoga guru and Patanjali Ayurved co-founder Baba Ramdev for remarks made during a promotional event for Patanjali’s rose-flavored sharbat. The comments allegedly disparaged Rooh Afza, a popular product by Hamdard Laboratories, and were deemed to carry communal undertones.

Justice Amit Bansal, presiding over the matter, stated, “It shocks the conscience of the Court. This is indefensible,” expressing grave concern over attempts to inject communal narratives into commercial marketing.

Hamdard Approaches Court, Citing Religious and Commercial Disparagement

Hamdard Laboratories, which has manufactured the 100-year-old Unani beverage Rooh Afza, filed a civil suit seeking immediate removal of Ramdev’s video from various digital platforms, including YouTube and Instagram. The company alleged that the statements went beyond competitive marketing and attempted to malign the brand through religious insinuations.

The controversial remarks allegedly suggested that proceeds from Rooh Afza are used to fund madrasas and mosques — a claim Hamdard strongly refuted. Though Ramdev later defended his statement by claiming he had not named any particular brand or community, Hamdard asserted that the comments were clearly aimed at their product.

Senior Advocate Rohatgi: “This Is Hate Speech, Not Mere Disparagement”

Appearing for Hamdard, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi submitted that the case was not just about disparaging a competitor’s product but involved a deliberate attempt to stoke religious sentiments. He called the statements “akin to hate speech,” arguing that such language, when coming from a public figure like Ramdev, can cause communal discord.

Rohatgi emphasized, “He [Ramdev] is a well-known name in every household. He can sell his own product without attacking another by invoking religion.”

He urged the Court to take the matter seriously, not just from a business ethics standpoint, but also in the interest of maintaining communal harmony and upholding constitutional values.

Court Reminded of Previous Supreme Court Proceedings Against Ramdev

In a pointed remark, Rohatgi also reminded the Court of Ramdev's past conduct. He referenced proceedings before the Supreme Court where suo moto contempt action was initiated against Ramdev and Patanjali’s managing director Acharya Balkrishna for publishing misleading advertisements and making public comments that undermined allopathic medicine. This, he argued, displayed a recurring pattern of irresponsible and inflammatory public statements.

Ramdev's Legal Team Seeks Time; Court Issues Stern Warning

At the outset of the hearing, only a proxy counsel appeared for Ramdev and sought a passover, informing the Court that the lead counsel was engaged before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). Justice Bansal was not pleased and directed that the main counsel must appear before the bench by 12 PM.

The judge warned that “any failure will lead to the Court passing a very strong order,” signaling the Court's seriousness in addressing not just the speech but the broader implications of communal marketing in a diverse country like India.

Ramdev Relents, Agrees to Take Down Controversial Video

Later in the day, Ramdev’s legal representatives informed the Court that he would take down the video in question from all social media platforms. While this was seen as a positive step toward compliance, the Court is expected to continue hearing the matter to determine further legal consequences, including whether damages, costs, or apologies should be ordered.