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Sharbat Jihad: Justice Amit Bansal made a strong observation while hearing a lawsuit filed by Hamdard Laboratories against Ramdev. The case revolves around allegations involving the well-known brand, with the court’s remarks highlighting the gravity of the matter.
The Delhi High Court sharply condemned the controversial remarks made by Patanjali founder and yoga guru Ramdev regarding the popular drink Rooh Afza, produced by Hamdard. The court labeled Ramdev’s “Sharbat Jihad” comment as “indefensible,” stating that such statements are deeply troubling and “shock the conscience of the court.” The remarks, which have sparked widespread debate, were directed at the traditional drink and have been viewed by many as divisive. The court’s strong stance on the matter highlights the seriousness with which it views statements that could potentially harm social harmony.
Justice Amit Bansal made a strong observation during the hearing of a suit filed by Hamdard Laboratories against Baba Ramdev. The company has accused Ramdev of making defamatory and communal remarks that allegedly targeted its product. The case has drawn considerable attention as it highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding public figures and the impact of their statements on businesses.
Delhi High Court Issues Stern Warning to Ramdev Over “Sharbat Jihad” Remarks
In a strong rebuke, Justice Amit Bansal of the Delhi High Court stated, “It shocks the conscience of the court. It is indefensible. You (counsel for Ramdev) take instructions from your client, otherwise there will be a strong order.”
The remarks were made during proceedings concerning Ramdev’s controversial “sharbat jihad” comment, which had sparked public outrage. In response to the court’s warning, Ramdev assured the bench that he would take immediate action to address the issue.
Shortly after the court’s intervention, Ramdev’s counsel informed the court that the yoga guru would promptly remove all videos, advertisements, and social media posts related to the contentious remark. This included both print and video advertisements, along with any content posted online.
The case will be revisited by the court in due course, as Ramdev’s legal team committed to taking swift action in the wake of the court’s directive.
The court has taken on record the statement of senior advocate Rajiv Nayar in the ongoing case involving Baba Ramdev. The court has directed Ramdev to submit an affidavit within five days, affirming that he will refrain from making any future statements, advertisements, or social media posts that target competitors’ products.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 1, where the matter will be further addressed.
On April 3, Baba Ramdev made controversial remarks targeting Hamdard’s popular drink, Rooh Afza, claiming that the pharmaceutical and food company was using its funds for constructing mosques and madrasas. In response, Hamdard filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, as reported by Bar and Bench.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Hamdard, described the statements as deeply troubling, stating that they went beyond mere disparagement. Rohatgi emphasized that such comments were not only defamatory but also had the potential to incite communal discord, likening them to hate speech. He further argued that these remarks should not be protected under defamation laws.
Mukul Rohatgi expressed strong disapproval, stating, “This should not be allowed for a moment. We have enough problems in this country,” according to Bar and Bench.
The High Court, after hearing the matter, decided to postpone the proceedings and instructed the counsel representing Ramdev to be present at the next hearing.
Ramdev Defends His ‘Sharbat Jihad’ Remark, Clarifies No Names Were Taken
In a media interaction on Friday, yoga guru Baba Ramdev defended his controversial comment, insisting that he did not name any specific brand or community.
“I haven’t taken anybody’s name, but the Rooh Afza people took ‘sharbat jihad’ on themselves… this means they are doing this ‘jihad’,” Ramdev clarified during his address.
He further commented, “If they are dedicated to Islam and are building masjids and madrasas, then they should be happy. However, the Sanatanis should understand… If someone has a problem with this, then let it be.”
Ramdev’s remarks have sparked debates, with many questioning the context of his statement. However, the yoga guru remains firm in his stance, insisting his words were not targeted at any particular group or brand.
Digvijaya Singh Seeks FIR Against Ramdev Over “Sharbat Jihad” Remarks
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has filed a complaint seeking the registration of an FIR against yoga guru Ramdev, accusing him of spreading religious hatred with his controversial “sharbat jihad” statement.
Digvijaya Singh, the Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh, approached the TT Nagar police station in Bhopal, urging authorities to take action under Sections 196(1)(a) and 299 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as the Information Technology Act.
Section 196(1)(a) prohibits promoting enmity between different religious, racial, linguistic, or regional groups, while Section 299 deals with deliberate and malicious actions meant to outrage the religious sentiments of any community.
Singh’s complaint points to a video allegedly shared through Ramdev’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, which Singh claims is designed to provoke religious sentiments, potentially to boost the sales of Patanjali Ayurved’s products. The Congress leader has called for swift legal action to address what he terms a deliberate attempt to inflame religious tensions.
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