The Supreme Court has taken a decisive step against Patanjali, led by Baba Ramdev, for persistently promoting misleading claims about curing various illnesses. Despite prior warnings, the company continued its misleading advertising practices.
In November 2023, the Supreme Court cautioned Patanjali, stating that each advertisement could incur a penalty of up to one crore rupees
. Despite these warnings, Patanjali brazenly persisted in airing advertisements. Consequently, the apex court has now imposed a temporary ban on the company’s advertisements.
In its interim ruling, the Supreme Court has prohibited Patanjali from promoting any products claiming to cure illnesses listed under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act.
Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, leading the bench, also criticized the government for its failure to address the issue of misleading advertisements, despite a petition filed in 2022.
Supreme Court hearing plea by Indian Medical Association seeking action against Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved for defaming evidence-based medicine.#SupremeCourt @PypAyurved pic.twitter.com/YroHg9DLUK
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) February 27, 2024
Justice Amanullah admonished the additional solicitor general, highlighting the disregard for the Drugs Act over the past two years.
[BREAKING] Supreme Court slaps temporary ban on Patanjali medicine ads for "taking country for a ride"#Patanjali #SupremeCourt
Read more: https://t.co/vKpcH1GmRk pic.twitter.com/TWPlKG2UmW
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) February 27, 2024
We issue notice to show cause (to Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishnan) as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them: Supreme Court#SupremeCourt #SupremeCourtofindia pic.twitter.com/jYOXqv8p4d
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) February 27, 2024
Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah: I have brought printouts and annexures. We are going to pass a very strict order today. Go through it. How can you say you will cure? Despite our warning you are saying our things are better than chemical based medicines? Mr Nataraj you also have…
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) February 27, 2024
Justice Amanullah had said: You had the courage and guts to still come up with this advertisements after our order, you are tempting the Court!#SupremeCourt
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) February 27, 2024
Various reactions have surfaced following the court’s decision. While some staunch supporters of Ayurveda defended Patanjali and criticized the judgment, others welcomed the decision as a relief.
Social media platforms witnessed an influx of memes poking fun at Baba Ramdev, with some netizens expressing skepticism about his ability to navigate this situation by influencing the government.
Baba Yoga tak hi rehte toh achha tha .. 😐
— Anamika | अनामिका (@Anamika_Anaa) February 27, 2024
Now Baba Ramdev can't even buy electoral bonds to get out of the mess.
— Basharath (بشارت علی) (@BasharathAli2) February 27, 2024
Finally 🙏 https://t.co/hNn7PhSrTz
— Atul Khatri (@one_by_two) February 27, 2024
Remember this episode? India Today shamelessly plugging Ramdev and Patanjali. If the media did its job matters concerning jokers like him not have to burden courts. #Patanjali #Ramdev Incidentally India Today took us to court for this 😏https://t.co/tYGdMK6SWb
— Abhinandan Sekhri (@AbhinandanSekhr) February 27, 2024
I am not sure if anyone is following this, but the Supreme Court of India pummeling the charlatan Baba Ramdev, his pseudoscientific balderdash Ayurveda company and their obnoxious anti-science advertisements is better than the best Indian Premier League Cricket seasons you've… https://t.co/BLeVEBC85Q
— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) February 27, 2024
— Sourgasm(Blue Tickle) (@Churanetor) February 27, 2024
#WATCH | Delhi: CJI DY Chandrachud says, "I do Yoga. I follow a vegan diet, in the last five months I have completely followed a vegan diet and I will continue it. I try and focus on the holistic pattern of life which begins with what you eat." pic.twitter.com/0hCt2z7aet
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024
Notably, Dr. Abby Philips, known as the Liver Doc on social media, praised the Supreme Court’s action against what she termed as “charlatan Baba Ramdev” and his unscientific advertising practices.
I am quite disappointed that our Chief Justice spoke about using #Ayush / #ayurvedicmedicine during #COVID-19.
We should realize that there is NO scientific evidence of any ayurvedic drug being effective against the coronavirus. In fact, the evidence for ANY drug (from any…— Dr Ambrish Mithal (@DrAmbrishMithal) February 22, 2024
It remains to be seen how the Chief Justice, known for advocating veganism and Ayurveda, views this recent development.