In a recent development at the Supreme Court, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, associated with Patanjali Ayurved, have issued another apology regarding misleading advertisements linked to their company. The duo assured the court that such incidents would not recur, marking their repeated plea for forgiveness within the same month.
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on a lawsuit filed by the Indian Medical Association, which accuses Patanjali Ayurved of undermining modern, evidence-based medicine through their promotion of the Ayush healing system via misleading advertisements. During a hearing earlier this month, Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah criticized Patanjali’s Managing Director, Acharya Balkrishna, emphasizing the gravity of the promise made to the apex court and dismissing the idea that an apology could suffice without concrete actions to prevent future violations.
The court highlighted the significant influence Baba Ramdev and Balkrishna hold due to their claims of extensive research, which necessitates a severe approach towards their misleading advertisements. The ongoing case, which has been adjourned until April 10, also raised concerns regarding the lack of action from the central government, especially after Patanjali publicly dismissed the effectiveness of modern medicine in treating COVID-19.
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The Supreme Court has directed the Drug and Licensing Department to become a party to the case, reflecting the seriousness with which the court is treating these misleading claims. In a ruling on November 21, 2023, the apex court had previously criticized Patanjali Ayurved for its misleading claims against modern medicine and warned of a one-crore fine if such promotional activities continued.
