The Supreme Court of India issued an urgent warning to Patanjali Ayurved, a firm co-founded by famed Yoga teacher Baba Ramdev, on Tuesday (Nov 21). The Supreme Court ordered the business to stop making false and misleading claims about its drugs as a treatment for various ailments or face a Rs 1 crore ($120,000) fine for each claim.
With Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra sitting, the court was hearing a petition brought by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against deceptive statements in ads.
“All such false and misleading advertisements of Patanjali Ayurved have to stop immediately. The Court will take any such infraction very seriously, and the Court will also consider imposing costs to the extent of Rs. 1 crores on every product regarding which a false claim is made that it can ‘cure’ a particular disease,” Justice Amanullah orally said.
The court stated that it did not want to detour from the issue and turn it into a “Allopathy vs. Ayurveda” argument, but instead intended to get to the bottom of misleading medical ads. Following deliberations, the bench has requested the Government of India (GOI) to make appropriate recommendations.
Aside from the erroneous claims, the IMA accused Patanjali in the writ suit of disseminating false rumors about COVID-19 and fueling vaccination hesitancy. Baba Ramdev’s comments making a mockery of citizens searching for oxygen cylinders during the second peak were also cited in the complaint.
However, after receiving a tap from the SC judges, Patanjali issued an undertaking, saying the company would not publish any such advertisements in the future, and would also ensure that casual statements are not made by it in the media.
Patanjali’s prior rodeo
This is not the first time Baba Ramdev has been scrutinized for his views as well as his company’s advertising policy. Last year, the then-CJI of India, NV Ramana, asked the yoga guru to temper his convictions.
“What became of Baba Ramdev?” He can publicize his method, but why should he criticize others? We all admire him for popularizing yoga, but he should not disparage other methods. What guarantee does he have that his system will work? He is unable to resist the doctor system. “He must exercise restraint in abusing other systems,” the former CJI noted.
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Source: wionews
