The Delhi High Court strongly criticised yoga guru Ramdev for his controversial remarks about "Sharbat Jihad." Justice Amit Bansal, during the hearing, described the statement as “indefensible” and said it “shocks the conscience of the court.” The remarks allegedly targeted Hamdard’s popular drink, Rooh Afza.

Hamdard files suit for defamation

Hamdard Laboratories filed a defamation suit against Ramdev. The company accused him of making communal and damaging statements against its product. The issue stemmed from a speech on April 3, in which Ramdev alleged that Rooh Afza’s earnings were being used to build madrasas and mosques. The company approached the court to seek action against these statements.

“Goes beyond defamation,” says Hamdard’s counsel

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Hamdard, said the remarks were not just disparaging but communal. He described them as hate speech that aimed to create division. “This is a case which is shocking, which goes beyond disparagement. This is a case of creating communal divide, akin to hate speech,” he said in court.

Ramdev denies naming anyone

In response, Ramdev defended his comments in the media. He claimed he did not take the name of any particular brand or community. “I haven’t taken anybody’s name, but the Rooh Afza people took ‘sharbat jihad’ on themselves,” he said. He added that if a company supports religious institutions, then it should not have a problem being associated with that identity.

Digvijaya Singh seeks FIR against Ramdev

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh filed a complaint against Ramdev, demanding an FIR for spreading religious hatred. He referred to a video shared from Ramdev’s social media, where the yoga guru allegedly promoted Patanjali products while accusing another company of funding religious institutions. Singh urged authorities to book him under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and IT Act.

Video promotes ‘Patanjali Sharbat’

In the video shared online, Ramdev warned people to protect their families from “poison sold in the name of sharbat and cold drinks.” He compared soft drinks to toilet cleaners and claimed that one company’s profits were used to fund religious buildings, while Patanjali’s earnings supported gurukuls and Indian education.

Ramdev apologises in court

Following the backlash, Ramdev submitted an unconditional apology in the Delhi High Court. He assured the court that he never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments. His legal team promised that the video would be removed from all platforms, including social media. The court acknowledged the apology but made it clear that such remarks could not be justified.

Court warns against future statements

The Delhi High Court reminded Ramdev that statements made in public carry influence and responsibility. It said that remarks with communal overtones must be avoided. The court will continue monitoring the case in the upcoming hearings.