Supreme Court Slams Patanjali for Misleading Ads: Govt Neglects Consumer Deception

The Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to Patanjali Ayurved and its MD Acharya Balkrishna in a case related to misleading advertisements. During the hearing, Justice Amanullah said, “Even after the court’s orders, you (Patanjali) dared to show this advertisement. We are now going to give strict orders. We have to do this because you are taking the court for a ride.” The court also made critical remarks against the government, stating, “The public is being misled, and the government is turning a blind eye and deaf ear.”

Next hearing of this case will be on March 15

Senior advocate PS Patwalia, representing the Indian Medical Association (IMA), informed that Patanjali had claimed to provide ‘complete cure’ for diabetes and asthma with the help of yoga. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 15. The Indian Medical Association had filed a petition against Patanjali in 2022 for spreading false information against allopathy on social media.

Penalty of up to 1 crore rupees for false claims on each product

In a previous hearing on November 21, 2023, Justice Amanullah had said, “Patanjali should immediately stop all misleading advertisements. The court will take any violation very seriously, and a penalty of up to 1 crore rupees can be imposed for each false claim on every product.” The court directed that Patanjali Ayurved should not publish any such advertisements in the future and should ensure that no casual statements are given to the press. The bench also stated that it is not seeking a debate on ‘Allopathy vs Ayurveda’ but demands to address the issue of misleading medical advertisements seriously.

Baba Ramdev should not avoid vaccination from other systems

In the previous hearing, Chief Justice of India NV Ramanna had said, “Baba Ramdev can make his medical system popular, but why should he avoid vaccination from other systems? We respect him for making yoga popular, but he should not avoid vaccination from other systems.”

Surrounded by claims of making COVID medicine, Patanjali faced criticism

Baba Ramdev claimed that his products Coronil and Swasari can manage and cure COVID. After this claim, the company faced a crackdown by the Ministry of Health, and its promotion was immediately stopped. In 2015, the company launched instant noodles before obtaining a license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Subsequently, Patanjali had to face legal notices for violating food safety regulations. In 2015, the Department of Canteen Stores declared Patanjali’s juices unfit for consumption. After this, the CSD removed their juices from all stores. In 2015, people in Haridwar complained about impurities in Patanjali ghee. In 2018, FSSAI issued a notice to Patanjali for changing the manufacturing date of the medicinal product Giloy Ghanvati a month in advance. Apart from COVID, controversies have surrounded Baba Ramdev’s yoga and Patanjali’s products for claims to cure cancer, AIDS, and homosexuality.