Headlines National News Report

Delhi High Court Slams Ramdev For Releasing New Contentious Video On ‘Sharbat Jihad’

The court had previously mandated that he should not make any statements or share videos regarding Hamdard’s products in the future

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court criticized Yoga guru Baba Ramdev for allegedly releasing yet another video. This video contained his contentious remarks about ‘sharbat jihad’ aimed at Hamdard’s ‘Rooh Afza’, despite prior instructions to refrain.

The court had previously mandated that he should not make any statements or share any such videos. This was regarding Hamdard’s products in the future.

“In view of the last order, his affidavit as well as this video are prima facie in contempt. I will issue a contempt notice now. We are just calling him here,” Justice Amit Bansal said as quoted by news agency PTI. This was after he was informed of a new video of Ramdev with Rooh Afza.

“He (Ramdev) is not in control of anyone. He lives in his own world,” the judge exclaimed.

The High Court condemned Ramdev, stating that he was ‘not in control of anyone’ and ‘lived in his own world’, finding him in prima facie contempt of its earlier order.

This case arises from a petition filed by the Hamdard National Foundation (India) against Ramdev and Patanjali Foods Ltd. This is for purportedly undermining Rooh Afza.

The controversy began last month when Ramdev, while promoting Patanjali’s rose sharbat, alleged that the profits from Hamdard’s Rooh Afza were used to fund madrasas and mosques.

However, Ramdev later defended his statement, claiming he did not specify any brand or community. In its lawsuit against Ramdev, Hamdard sought the removal of the Yoga Guru’s advertisement videos from social media.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Hamdard, argued that this case was shocking as it not only disparaged the Rooh Afza product but also contributed to a ‘communal divide’. He further asserted that Ramdev’s comments amounted to hate speech.

Rohatgi contended in court that Ramdev had attacked Hamdard on religious grounds by labelling it ‘Sharbat Jihad’. During a hearing on April 22, the High Court remarked that the comments ‘shocked the conscience of the court’ and were ‘indefensible.’

The court subsequently ordered the Yoga guru to ensure the immediate removal of the related videos and social media posts. Following the court’s reprimand, Ramdev’s attorney provided an undertaking to the court. This affirmed that he would abstain from making further such remarks.

“This amounts to hate speech. He says it is a sharbat jihad. He should carry on his business. Why is he troubling us?” said Rohatgi on Thursday.

Dear Readers,
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
Some error occurred

Related posts

News Hub