The Supreme Court's bench, consisting of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, was in session on March 19, 2024. The case concerned deceptive advertising against Baba Ramdev's company, Patanjali, and claims of healing illnesses. Patanjali's senior attorney, Mukul Rohatgi, made an appearance.
'Where is the reply to the contempt notice?' Justice Kohli was questioned right at the start of the proceedings.
Rohatgi remarked, 'The reply could not be filed; it was a very short reply.'
Judge Kohli commented, "This is not good for us," in response to this. We've given this a lot of thought. It is obvious that orders will be given, and there will be penalties if you do not file the reply.
Disappointed with Rohatgi's response, Justice Amanullah declared, "We will now order your client to appear in court on the following date."
Following this, the court ordered co-founder Baba Ramdev and Managing Director (MD) Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali Ayurveda to appear in person.
On July 10, 2022, advertising was first printed in newspapers. This English-language advertisement was titled "MISCONCEPTIONS SPREAD BY ALLOPATHY," which translates to "misconceptions spread by allopathy."
The words "People rely on allopathy for medicines for diseases like blood pressure, sugar, thyroid, and asthma, but unfortunately such medicines do not seem to provide any benefit" are placed at the top of the advertisement. Conversely, it negatively impacts one's health. Our medical practice is grounded in Ayurveda and yoga, and contemporary science has demonstrated the effectiveness of our medications.
It also discusses blood pressure, saying that many experience kidney failure, heart attacks, and brain strokes even after taking allopathic medications for years. Millions of patients with high blood pressure and related issues have been fully treated by doing yoga and pranayama on a daily basis, consuming bottle gourd juice, and consuming muktavati.
Similar to this, in the advertisement, allopathy is shown to be ineffective in treating conditions like thyroid, ocular and ear disorders, cholesterol, liver, skin disorders, arthritis, asthma, and many other conditions. However, Patanjali's medicines and yoga are known to be the total remedy for all of these conditions. There have been promises to repair it.
The Indian Medical Association, or IMA, has sued Patanjali in the Supreme Court for deceptive advertising. While IMA maintained that all businesses are free to advertise their goods, Patanjali's statements are blatantly illegal under both the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 and the Drugs and Other Magic Remedies Act of 1954.
The IMA voiced worry over false information that is propagated about allopathy and the contemporary medical system. According to the petition, Patanjali's deceptive commercials falsely suggest that allopathy can treat a wide range of illnesses and denigrate it.
The IMA had called for action against advertisements that disparage allopathy while endorsing the AYUSH medical system from the Central Government, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), and the Central Consumer Protection Authority of India (CCPA).
The petition also included a few of Baba Ramdev's contentious remarks. For instance, referring to allopathy as a "stupid and bankrupt science," asserting that the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the use of allopathic medications, etc.
Additionally, IMA claimed that Patanjali disseminated false information on the COVID vaccine, instilling dread in people about receiving the shot. The petition also claimed that Patanjali made fun of the young people who were searching for oxygen cylinders during Corona. Despite having a contract with ASCI, the AYUSH Ministry disregarded Patanjali's directions.
