The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved’s Managing Director Balakrishna regarding misleading advertisements promoted by their company. The bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah expressed dissatisfaction with their conduct, highlighting their “absolute defiance” in not filing proper affidavits over the matter.
The apex court refused to accept an apology tendered by Patanjali last month, emphasizing the importance of respecting court orders across the country. The court emphasized that Patanjali’s advertisements are in violation of the law and cautioned Ramdev to “be ready for action.”
The court’s scrutiny follows the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) petition filed last year, which raised concerns about Patanjali’s advertisements making false and misleading claims about its medicines. The IMA pointed out that these advertisements disparaged allopathic medicine and medical practitioners, misleading the general public.
In response to the Supreme Court’s criticism, Ramdev’s lawyer expressed willingness for both Ramdev and Balakrishna to personally apologize in court. However, the court remained unsatisfied with the apology, considering it more of a lip service. The bench granted one last opportunity to file affidavits in the matter within a week.The court also criticized the government for not taking appropriate action against such misleading advertisements, expressing concern over the authorities’ inaction. The bench emphasized the need for the government to be vigilant and take necessary measures to address such violations.
The Supreme Court directed Ramdev and Balakrishna to be present in court on April 10, the next date of hearing. This directive follows the court’s previous order to halt all electronic and print advertisements promoting Patanjali’s medicines with misleading information.The case underscores the responsibility of companies like Patanjali to ensure the accuracy and truthfulness of their advertisements. The court’s intervention aims to protect consumers from misinformation and uphold the integrity of the healthcare industry.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s warning to Ramdev and Patanjali highlights the importance of adhering to legal and ethical standards in advertising. It serves as a reminder to all companies to exercise caution and responsibility in their marketing practices to prevent misleading the public and undermining trust in the healthcare system.
