The Delhi High Court said in Hamdard’s petition on Ramdev’s allegations on “Rooh Afza”…
Judge Amit Bansal made a strong observation when hearing the lawsuit filed by Hamdard Labs against Ramdev. Hamdard accused Ramdev of making defamatory and public statements against his products.
Ramdev, Yoga Master (File Image)
The Delhi High Court comments on Patanjali’s Ramdev were greatly reduced. The court slammed the yoga master with its controversial “Sharbat Jihad” comments allegedly targeting Hamdard’s popular drink “Rooh Afza”. It called the comment “irrefutable” and “shocked the court’s conscience.” Judge Amit Bansal made a strong observation when hearing the lawsuit filed by Hamdard Labs against Ramdev. Hamdard accused Ramdev of making defamatory and public statements against his products.
Judge Amit Bansal said: “This shocked the conscience of the court. It is irrefutable. You (Ramdev’s lawyer) take instructions from the client; otherwise, there will be a strong order.”
After the court’s warning, Ramdev’s lawyers said that from social media posts, all cases — or videos — about controversial remarks — will be deleted immediately. The court directed the attorney to file an affidavit on behalf of Ramdev and said: “When I saw this (video), I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears.”
The order added: “If defendant No. 2 (Ramdev) also records the affidavit, he said he will make any such statements, advertisements, tweets or social media posts on competitors’ products in the future.” Mukul Rohatgi, a senior advocate representing Hamdard, recently said that in promoting Patanjali’s “Gulab Sharbat”, Ramdev claimed that the money earned from Hamdard’s Rooh Afza was used to build Madrasas and Mosques.
Ramdev defended his comments, saying he did not name any brand or community. Rohatgi believes the case goes beyond the demolition, saying it is creating a “public divide.” “It’s equivalent to hate speech. He said it was Shabat’s jihad. He should be in his own business. Why should he bother us?” he said. Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi also said on behalf of Hamdard that Ramdev should not target the religion of the founders of the company.
In response to these comments, Rajiv Nayar, a senior advocate representing Ramdev and Patangali, believed that Hamdard was not the guardian of religion. Sisi retorted: “I am the guardian of humanity.” Rohatgi said Ramdev had previously faced restrictions on homeopathy by the Supreme Court and “it took hard hands to weaken this in the bud.”
Nayal said Ramdev could not be blocked from expressing his political views, but said an affidavit about competitor products (escape from competitor products). He added that Ramdev and Patanjali are not opposed to any religion. “If he gives his opinion, then he can’t stop. You can’t stop someone from expressing their opinions.” However, the court said: “He can put those opinions in his mind without having to express them.”
Ramdev was ordered to submit an affidavit within five days, and the matter will be filed on May 1. On April 15, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh sought police for FIR against Ramdev, accusing him of spreading religious hatred for his “Sharbat Jihad” remarks.
(Input with PTI)
