Recently, the Supreme Court has taken action against yoga guru Baba Ramdev regarding misleading advertisements of Patanjali Ayurveda. The Supreme Court has ordered Baba Ramdev to appear in the court within two weeks in the case. Earlier also the court had asked Baba Ramdev to come to the court, but neither did he appear, nor were the advertisements stopped. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Supreme Court order For Baba Ramdev
The Supreme Court has sent a summons to Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna to appear in the court within two weeks. The move comes after the court had earlier ordered a ban on Patanjali Ayurveda’s advertisements related to health conditions like blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, asthma and obesity. Earlier on February 27, the court had banned the advertisements of Patanjali Ayurveda.
2. Accusation on Patanjali
Indian Medical Association had filed a petition against Patanjali Ayurveda Limited alleging misleading advertisements. According to the association, these advertisements not only criticized vaccination during COVID-19 but also discouraged the use of modern medicines. Some advertisements also claimed to cure diseases, which angered health professionals.
3. Court’s reaction against Patanjali
In November 2023, the court issued an interim order, directing Patanjali to stop airing misleading advertisements and refrain from making statements that defame other medical systems. However, Patanjali continued to air such advertisements in defiance of the court order, leading to a contempt case.
4. Inaction of AYUSH Ministry
The Supreme Court also expressed dissatisfaction over the Ministry of AYUSH for not taking action under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act against the misleading advertisements of Patanjali. The ministry claimed that it is monitoring the situation.
5. Interim decisions and possible outcomes
An interim decision is a temporary measure taken before a final decision. In this case, the court directed to ban misleading advertisements claiming to cure diseases with Ayurvedic medicines. Failure to comply could result in fines, as indicated by one of the judges, Ahsanuddin Amanullah.
conclusion
The Patanjali advertising controversy highlights the importance of responsible advertising, especially in the healthcare sector. The Supreme Court’s actions are intended to ensure public safety and prevent misinformation regarding medical treatment.
Also Read – Discussion on Patanjali advertisements: Supreme Court issues notice to Baba Ramdev