Baba Ramdev Faces Potential Arrest Over Misleading Advertisement Controversy
Baba Ramdev is an Indian yoga guru who popularized yoga and Ayurveda in the country and internationally.
His influence ranges beyond yoga into business and health sectors, an area he experimented with through Patanjali Ayurved, which he cofounded in 2006 with Acharya Balkrishna.
This organization seeks to popularize Ayurveda and traditional medicine together with its respective products, ranging from food items to personal care products.
Over the years, it has grown into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise and has become a household name in India.
However, despite its commercial success, Patanjali Ayurved has repeatedly faced allegations of making misleading claims regarding the efficacy of its products.
These claims, which often suggest that Patanjali products can cure serious diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma, have led to multiple legal battles, including Supreme Court scrutiny and criminal cases.
Allegations of Misleading Advertisements
Patanjali Ayurved has been accused of engaging in misleading advertising, a violation of India’s consumer protection laws and health regulations.
The company has made numerous claims about the medicinal benefits of its products, often implying that they can completely cure chronic diseases.
These assertions fall under the purview of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which prohibits advertisements claiming magical remedies for ailments.
One of the most controversial times for Patanjali was during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company released Coronil, a product it claimed could cure COVID-19.
However, such claims were not scientifically proven, and the Indian government had to intervene, stating that Coronil could only be sold as an immunity booster and not as a cure for the virus.
In August 2022, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) filed a petition accusing Patanjali of misleading the public and disparaging modern medicine (allopathy) to promote its drugs.
The IMA alleged that Baba Ramdev had repeatedly criticized allopathy while falsely presenting Ayurveda as a superior alternative without scientific validation.
The petition cited violations of both the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
These allegations led to Supreme Court intervention, as the judiciary took note of the seriousness of misleading health claims, which could impact public health and safety.
Supreme Court’s Intervention and Legal Proceedings
Initial Warning and Contempt Charges
The Supreme Court of India initially issued notices to Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, asking them to respond to allegations of misleading advertisements.
Despite this, Patanjali continued to promote its products with unverified claims, leading to contempt of court proceedings.
In February 2024, the Supreme Court imposed a temporary ban on Patanjali’s advertisements, citing continued violations of previous warnings.
The court issued a contempt notice to Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, reprimanding them for ignoring the legal constraints on advertising medicinal products.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court strongly criticized the Indian government for its lack of enforcement against misleading health claims.
The court observed that authorities had “shut their eyes” while Patanjali “tom-tommed” its Ayurvedic products during the COVID-19 pandemic, misleading the public.
March 2024: Personal Summons and Court Appearance
On March 19, 2024, the Supreme Court escalated the matter by directing Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna to personally appear before the court.
This directive came after Patanjali failed to respond adequately to the notices issued in the case.
During their court appearance, both Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna tendered unconditional apologies, but the Supreme Court remained unconvinced.
The judges criticized their apology as mere “lip service”, stressing the seriousness of misleading advertisements and their potential harm to public health.
The case remains ongoing, with further hearings expected to determine whether the apologies and corrective measures proposed by Patanjali are satisfactory or if further penalties will be imposed.
Criminal Case in Kerala and Arrest Warrants
Apart from Supreme Court proceedings, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna also face criminal charges in Kerala.
On May 23, 2024, a criminal case was filed in Kozhikode, Kerala, against them, alleging that they had violated the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act by making false claims about Patanjali products.
The Kerala court issued summons for both individuals to appear before the court. However, upon their failure to appear, the court escalated the matter by issuing bailable warrants against them on January 20, 2025.
This development indicates that, apart from the Supreme Court’s scrutiny, Patanjali’s founders are also facing criminal liability at the state level. If convicted, they could face penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment.
Legal Implications of the Case
The Patanjali Ayurved controversy is laden with wider and broader implications-for consumer protection and the regulation of medical advertisements-but also concerning responsibility and accountability towards the corporate business world.
Legal Violation:
The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 is also an enactment related to misleading adverts claiming cure and relief for patients. It provided:
1. Companies cannot advertise remedies that claim to cure ailments such as diabetes, cancer, or asthma without scientific proof.
2. Violations can result in fines and imprisonment.
If found guilty, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna could face legal consequences, including financial penalties and potential jail time.
Contempt of Court Charges
The Supreme Court’s initiation of contempt proceedings against Baba Ramdev and Patanjali underscores how seriously the judiciary views these violations. Contempt of court occurs when an individual or entity defies a court order or disrespects judicial authority.
Since Patanjali allegedly ignored previous warnings and continued misleading advertisements, the court may impose strict penalties on the company and its leadership.
Public and Media Reactions
Divided Opinions on Social Media
The controversy surrounding Baba Ramdev and Patanjali has led to heated debates on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
1. Supporters of Baba Ramdev argue that the legal proceedings are an attack on traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) and a deliberate attempt to discredit indigenous health practices.
2. Critics, however, believe that Patanjali has misled the public and should be held accountable for making false medical claims that could endanger lives.
Extensive Media Coverage
Leading Indian newspapers such as The Economic Times, The Hindu, and The Indian Express have extensively covered the legal proceedings, highlighting the broader implications for consumer rights and regulatory oversight.
Broader Implications: Stricter Regulations Ahead?
The legal challenges faced by Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved could lead to stricter regulations governing the advertisement of health products in India.
1. The government could strengthen laws to prevent misleading health claims and impose heavier penalties for violations.
2. There could be a greater push for scientific validation of Ayurvedic medicines to ensure that traditional remedies meet modern medical standards.
3. The case could serve as a precedent for future disputes concerning false advertising in the health sector.
While Ayurveda forms a fundamental component of Indian tradition, scientific validation must underlie all health-related claims so as not to lose the consumer’s confidence and ultimately affect public health.
Litigation against Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved underlines the imperative need for honest advertisements in the health field.
However deep rooted the history of Ayurveda in India is, any claims for treatments by such treatments should be scrutinized thoroughly so as to prevent tragic incidents from taking place.
As the Supreme Court and Kerala courts continue their investigations, the outcome of these cases will probably shape future regulations on health product advertising in India and determine the accountability of major corporations in the wellness industry.
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