The Supreme Court on Tuesday reprimanded the Patanjali Ayurved for continuing to publish misleading claims and advertisements against modern systems of medicine.
While considering a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association against misleading advertisements,
Issuing a stern warning to the company co-founded by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, the Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra directed Patanjali Ayurved to ‘immediately stop’ all false and misleading advertisements.
Noting that any infraction by the company would be taken ‘very seriously,’ the Bench made an oral observation that it may also consider imposing costs to the extent of Rs one crore on every product regarding which a false claim was made that it could ‘cure’ a particular disease.
The Bench further directed the company not to publish any such advertisements in the future, besides ensuring that casual statements were not made by it in the Press.
The Apex Court observed during the hearing that it did not wish to make the issue an ‘Allopathy vs Ayurveda’ debate, but wanted to find a real solution to the problem of misleading medical advertisements.
The Bench then directed the Union Government to find a viable solution to tackle the problem and come up with suitable recommendations after consultations. It then listed the matter for further hearing on February 5.
This was conveyed to Additional Solicitor General of India K.M. Nataraj, who appeared for the Union government.
Earlier in August, the Apex Court sought response from the Central government and others within four weeks, on a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association, accusing Yoga guru Baba Ramdev of degrading Allopathy and Allopathic doctors.
The Bench comprising then Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, Justice C.T. Ravikumar and Justice Hima Kohli had questioned Baba Ramdev for speaking against Allopathy.
Noting that Ramdev had popularised yoga, the Apex Court asked as to why he was criticising other medical systems like Allopathy and their Doctors.
It further asked him whether he was giving guarantee that a person would be fine by following his instructions? It further asked him whether he can give guarantee that he can cure all diseases through Ayurveda?
The Bench remarked that it seemed as if Allopathy was being ridiculed.
The order was passed on a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association regarding the remarks made by Baba Ramdev against Allopathy and its Doctors.
IMA had alleged that a campaign against modern Allopathic medicines, their Doctors and vaccination against Covid-19 was being run in the country.