Delhi High Court Slams Baba Ramdev For Sharbat-Jihad Comment Against Rooh Afza
Delhi High Court Slams Baba Ramdev For Sharbat-Jihad Comment Against Rooh Afza
Hamdard, the manufacturer of the popular drink, had stated that he used communal language against it
The Delhi High Court has taken umbrage over Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev’s remarks targeting the popular drink Rooh Afza.
The bench comprising Justice Amit Bansal directed him to file an affidavit undertaking that he shall not pass any demeaning remarks containing communal slurs to target competitor companies.
In the Hamdard National Foundation India vs Patanjali Foods Limited & Anr case, the court reiterated its 22 April direction on a plea filed by the pharmaceutical and food company Hamdard Foundation.
The company that manufactures Rooh Afza had alleged that Baba Ramdev used communal slurs to target its drink.
The court had ordered, "Let an affidavit be also placed on record by defendant nos.1 and 2 stating that they shall not issue any statements, social media posts or disparaging videos/advertisements in future similar to the subject matter of the present suit on products of the competitors."
In compliance, Baba Ramdev's counsel, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, produced affidavits to be filed.
Noting the submission, the bench ordered, "Advocate Nayar submits that the defendants are willing to file an undertaking in terms of paragraph 18 of the 22 April order. A copy of the affidavit has been given to the plaintiff's counsel.”
Baba Ramdev had made the controversial remarks on 3 April while promoting his company's product, Gulab Sharbat.
In a video, he used the term 'sharbat jihad' and targeted Hamdard's Rooh Afza, claiming that the company utilized the funds for building masjids and madrasas.
Slamming Baba Ramdev, Justice Bansal had observed the Patanjali founder's remarks as indefensible and shocking for the court's conscience. "I could not believe my eyes and ears when I saw the videos," he remarked.
On the court’s order, Baba Ramdev’s lawyer assured the court that the advertisements, in print or on videos, would be removed. Thereafter, Ramdev was ordered to file an affidavit.
To ascertain compliance, when the matter was heard, representing Hamdard, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi pointed out, "There is a difficulty. On YouTube. They have made the video private. While the public cannot view it, subscribers to the channel can.”
Thus, on behalf of Baba Ramdev, advocate Nayar said, "We will take it down. We have 24 hours and will comply with the court’s orders.” He added that affidavits would be filed and requested that the suit be discarded.
However, yet again, on 1 May, when Hamdard brought to the court’s notice, the latter pulled up Baba Ramdev for a new video targeting Hamdard with objectionable remarks.
Taking strong exception to his conduct, the bench held that it would issue a contempt of court notice and summon Baba Ramdev.
Ramdev's counsel repeated that the objectionable portions from the latest video would be removed from all social media platforms within 24 hours.
The matter will be heard for compliance on 9 May.
Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sandeep Sethi, with advocates Pravin Anand, Dhruv Anand, Nikhil Rohatgi, Udita Patro, Shivender Singh Pratap, Dhananjay Khanna, Nimrat Singh, Sampurnaa Sanyal, Navdeep and Mehak Khanna appeared for Hamdard.
