New Delhi : Yoga guru and Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev has agreed to take down all videos and advertisements targeting Hamdard Laboratories’ popular drink, Rooh Afza, following strong criticism from the Delhi High Court. The move came after Ramdev referred to the syrup as part of “sharbat jihad” and accused Hamdard of using its profits to fund madrasas and masjids, reported the Newsminute.
Justice Amit Bansal, presiding over the defamation suit filed by Hamdard, called Ramdev’s remarks “indefensible” and “shocking to the conscience of the court.” The court directed Ramdev to immediately remove the offensive content and submit an affidavit stating that he would refrain from making similar communal or defamatory remarks in the future.
The controversy began on April 3, when Ramdev, during the promotion of Patanjali’s ‘Gulab Sharbat’, claimed that Rooh Afza’s profits were being misused for religious purposes. Despite his attempt to later defend his statements by claiming he hadn’t named any specific brand or community, the court found the remarks highly objectionable.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Hamdard, told the court that the statements amounted to hate speech and were a direct attack on the religious sentiments of the company’s founders. “This is not mere disparagement—it is communal vilification,” he said, urging the court to act decisively.
Ramdev’s counsel, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, assured the court that all print and video content related to the statements would be withdrawn. Justice Bansal, while stressing that Ramdev was entitled to his personal views, stated that such views should not be expressed in ways that malign others on religious grounds. Ramdev has been asked to file an affidavit within five days. The next hearing is scheduled for May 1.
