Table of Contents
Introduction
The Supreme Court criticized Patanjali Ayurveda, under the leadership of Baba Ramdev, for disregarding court orders regarding misleading Patanjali advertisement.
Patanjali Advertisement
On April 16, the apex court warned Baba Ramdev and Balkrishna against any attempt to “degrade allopathy”. It permitted them to tender a “public apology and show contrition” within a week in the contempt proceedings in the case of the misleading advertisement against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. It had, however, observed that the two were not off the hook.
The Supreme Court ordered Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved MD Acharya Balkrishna to place on record the apology they published in newspapers.
What is the case against Patanjali?
The Indian Medical Association has moved the court against Patanjali Ayurved for publishing advertisements claiming cures for diseases and running a smear campaign against modern medicine.
Last year, after the Supreme Court’s rap, Patanjali had furnished an undertaking that they would desist from publishing misleading advertisements. However, earlier this year, the court found them violating their undertaking.
‘Drugs and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act 1954
An Act is enacted to regulate drug advertisements in specific circumstances, prohibiting the promotion of remedies claimed to possess magical qualities, and addressing related matters. This Act is called the ‘Drugs and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act 1954. This Act is under the surplus limelight because of the ‘Patanjali advertisement case’, so let’s dive into the intricacies of this case.
‘However big the health issue is, whether it is diabetes, blood pressure or anything else, Patanjali Ayurveda medicines have solutions to all those problems’, It’s the claim of yoga guru and co-founder of Patanjali Ayurveda Swami Ramdev.
Who Filed complaint
Dr. K.V Babu, a renowned Ophthalmologist and R.T.I activist filed the first complaint against Patanjali Ayurveda for violating the ‘Drugs and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act of 1954.
The main accusations of the petition are that “these advertisements are accusing scientific medicines, stating that if you take allopathic medicine, such and such harmful side effects are there.”
‘Coronil’ – A claimed life savior Ayurveda medicine by Patanjali Ayurveda also attracted immense controversy amidst the false advertisement row. One important anecdote about this medicine is that during the release of this medicine in the presence of two senior leaders of the ruling party Nitin Gadkari and the then Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Patanjali Ayurveda claimed the medicine to be the cure for Coronavirus supported by the scientific backing as well as ‘goods manufacturing practices recognition’ from WHO (World Health Organization) which was further clarified by WHO