Patanjali apologizes after Supreme Court summons Ramdev in ad case

Acharya Balkrishna, managing director of Patanjali Ayurved and associate of yoga guru Ramdev, has apologized to the Supreme Court for the company’s misleading claims about its products and their efficacy.

The affidavit was filed yesterday, a day after the court handed down severe punishment to Patanjali Ayurved for failing to Responding to contempt notice for misleading advertising. A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah asked Balkrishna and Ramdev to appear before the court on April 2.

In an affidavit submitted to the court, Balkrishna said he had the highest respect for the rule of law. He offered an “unconditional apology” and said the company would “ensure that such ads are not published again in the future.”

Mr Balkrishna clarified that the company’s “purpose is simply to advise the citizens of this country to live healthier lives by consuming Patanjali’s products” including “complementing and supporting Ayurveda through the use of ancient texts and materials” research to treat lifestyle diseases.”

He also said that provisions in the Medicines and Magical Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act banning advertisements promoting magical remedies were “outdated” and that the legislation was last modified when “there was a lack of scientific evidence in Ayurvedic research” made.Patanjali now has “evidence-based scientific data and clinical studies,” the affidavit said

Conducted in Ayurveda, this will showcase the progress made through scientific research in the diseases mentioned in the above timeline”.

“In view of the same, I humbly submit that the defendant’s only pursuit is to provide a better and healthier life to every citizen and mitigate it by providing comprehensive, evidence-based solutions to lifestyle-related medical complications. Burden on national healthcare infrastructure. Use of ancient traditional methods of Ayurveda and Yoga (sic),” it added.

Founded in 2006 by Mr. Ramdev and Mr. Balkrishna, Patanjali Ayurved is a multinational conglomerate that manufactures a wide range of products ranging from Ayurvedic medicines to cosmetics to food.

The group has gotten into trouble over misleading advertising about the efficacy of its products.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on Patanjali for failing to respond to a contempt proceedings notice. The court directed Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear before the court. It also noted that the advertisement for Patanjali Ayurved was part of the undertaking given to the court last year.

On November 21 last year, Patanjali’s lawyer assured the court that “there will not be any further violations of any law, especially in relation to the advertising or branding of the products he manufactures and sells. In addition, there will be no violations of any law.” Any arbitrary claims about medicinal efficacy or information about any system of medicine will be released to the media in any form.”

The Supreme Court is hearing a petition by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) accusing Ramdev of running a smear campaign against the coronavirus vaccination drive and modern medicine.