The Supreme Court rebuked Patanjali Ayurved on Tuesday for persistently publishing ‘misleading’ and ‘false’ claims in their advertisements regarding the healing powers of their medicines.
A bench, comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanu and Prashant Kumar Mishra, issued a stern warning to Patanjali Ayurved, an herbal product firm co-founded by yoga guru Ramdev.
“All such false and misleading advertisements of Patanjali Ayurved have to stop immediately. The court will take any such infraction very seriously…,” observed the bench, as PTI reported.
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In response, Patanjali Ayurved assured that they would refrain from publishing such advertisements in the future. They also ensured that no casual statements were made in the press, as per Live Law.
On August 22, the apex court issued notices to the Ministries of Ayush, Health, and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. in response to the IMA’s plea, alleging that Ramdev had launched a smear campaign against modern medicines and the vaccination effort.
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During the plea’s hearing, the bench directed Patanjali Ayurved to cease the publication of misleading claims and advertisements against modern systems of medicine. The bench also considered imposing a fine of Rs 1 crore on every product if a false claim is made regarding curing a specific ailment. The hearing for the IMA matter is scheduled for February 5 next year.
The Supreme Court condemned Ramdev for criticising allopathy and allopathic practitioners. It stated that he needed to be restrained from abusing doctors and other treatment systems. Last year, while issuing the notice, the then CJI N V Ramana expressed respect for Ramdev’s yoga but mentioned that he should refrain from criticising other systems of treatment.
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“What happened to this Guru Swami Ramdev Baba?… Ultimately we respect him as he popularised yoga. We all go for this. But, he should not criticise the other system. What is the guarantee that Ayurveda whatever system he is following will work? You see the type of advertisements accusing all the doctors as if they are killers or something. Huge advertisements (have been given),” the bench headed by the then CJI N V Ramana, the bench led by the now-retired CJI N V Ramana stated at the time.
The IMA brought up a number of ads that they claimed disparaged allopathy and doctors. They stated that derogatory claims were made in an attempt to mislead the public by companies that produce Ayurvedic medicines. These advertisements stated that even with the use of contemporary medications, doctors themselves were dying despite taking modern medicines.
Additionally, The IMA underscored concerted efforts to dissuade vaccination, including the COVID-19 jab campaign, and the utilisation of allopathic medicines in the country.
(With PTI Inputs)