New Delhi, May 1, 2025 – The Delhi High Court on Thursday sharply criticized yoga guru and Patanjali co-founder Baba Ramdev for releasing another video containing communal remarks aimed at Hamdard, the renowned pharmaceutical and food company known for its iconic drink, Rooh Afza. The court’s stern rebuke comes after Ramdev allegedly violated prior judicial directives by posting content deemed communally divisive.
The controversy stems from a fresh three-hour video, highlighted by Hamdard’s legal team, in which Ramdev purportedly disparages the company for approximately two minutes. Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing Hamdard, argued before the court, “Both the original and new videos target Hamdard, alleging that our profits fund mosques and madrasas, with a clear communal undertone.” The court, presided over by Justice Amit Bansal, expressed dismay, noting that Ramdev “lives in his own world” and appears “beyond control.”
This is not the first instance of Ramdev facing judicial scrutiny over his remarks against Hamdard. On April 22, 2025, the Delhi High Court had condemned Ramdev’s earlier “sharbat jihad” comments, labeling them “indefensible” and ordering the removal of related content. Ramdev had then assured the court, through an affidavit, that he would refrain from making such statements or posting similar content. However, the emergence of the new video prompted the court to consider issuing a contempt notice, with Justice Bansal stating, “The tone and tenor of the new video is almost similar.”
Hamdard’s legal counsel emphasized that Ramdev’s remarks go beyond mere product disparagement, accusing him of fostering communal discord. The company had previously sued Ramdev over a video posted on April 3, 2025, where he promoted Patanjali’s Gulab Sharbat while alleging that Hamdard’s Rooh Afza profits were used to build religious institutions, a claim the court found shocking and akin to hate speech.In response to Thursday’s hearing, Ramdev’s counsel, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, argued that the new video contained no direct disparagement of Hamdard’s products and that prior court orders had been complied with. However, the court rejected this defense, warning of potential contempt proceedings. Following the admonition, Ramdev agreed to remove the offending portion of the video from all social media platforms within 24 hours, a commitment the court directed to be executed promptly.
The Delhi High Court has fixed the next hearing for Hamdard’s application seeking an interim injunction for Friday, May 2, 2025.
