The Delhi High Court on Friday closed a defamation suit filed by pharmaceutical and food company Hamdard Foundation, alleging that Patanjali Ayurved Limited founder Baba Ramdev had used communal slurs to target its popular drink Rooh Afza.
The single-judge Bench of Justice Amit Bansal had earlier directed both Patanjali Ayurved Limited and Baba Ramdev to file affidavits, stating that they would not issue any statement, disparaging video, advertisement or social media post in future, similar to those which were subject matter of the present suit in respect of products of the competitors.
Ramdev made the derogatory remarks in a video on April 3, while promoting his company’s product Gulab Sharbat. The Yoga Guru allegedly said that Hamdard was using its money for building masjids and madrasas. He also used the term ‘sharbat jihad’ in the promotional video.
The single-judge Bench reprimanded Ramdev for his remarks on April 22, terming them indefensible. Justice Bansal said he could not believe his eyes and ears when he saw the videos. The remarks shook the conscience of the Court, he added.
Senior Advocate Nayar assured the Court on April 22 that the advertisements, whether in print format or videos, would be taken down.
The single-judge Bench then ordered Ramdev to file an affidavit to undertake that he would not issue such statements, advertisements and social media posts in future.
However on May 1, the Bench was apprised that Ramdev had again uploaded a new video targeting Hamdard. The single-judge Bench then took strong exception to Ramdev’s conduct and said it would issue a contempt of court notice and summon him to the court.
Advocate Nayar assured the Apex Court that Ramdev would take down the objectionable portions from that video within 24 hours on all social media platforms.