From Sherbet to Courtroom: Ramdev Faces Heat Over ‘Rooh Afza’ Remark Amid Communal Concerns

A History of Controversy and Caution

Yoga guru and Patanjali Ayurved founder Baba Ramdev is no stranger to controversy. From making ambitious medicinal claims during the COVID-19 pandemic to launching aggressive marketing campaigns against pharmaceutical companies, he has frequently clashed with medical associations, regulatory bodies, and, more recently, the judiciary.

Now, Ramdev finds himself in legal trouble yet again—this time over his inflammatory comments about a popular summer drink, Rooh Afza. In a video promoting Patanjali’s rose sherbet, he alleged that proceeds from certain sherbet sales were being used to fund mosques and madrasas, coining the term “sherbet jihad.” The Delhi High Court has since intervened, calling the remark “indefensible” and “shocking to the conscience.” This isn’t the first time Ramdev has been forced to retract a campaign—and it may not be the last.

The Comment That Sparked the Storm

Earlier this month, Ramdev released a promotional video in which he subtly accused a rival sherbet manufacturer—without explicitly naming Hamdard—of using its profits for religious constructions. “If you drink that sherbet, mosques and madrasas will be built. But if you drink Patanjali’s sherbet, gurukuls and universities will rise,” he said. He likened the situation to terms such as “love jihad” and “vote jihad,” thereby branding it “sherbet jihad.”

Although Ramdev did not mention Rooh Afza directly, the implications were clear. Hamdard, the historic brand behind Rooh Afza, responded swiftly by moving the Delhi High Court in a trademark disparagement suit. Their legal counsel, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, described the video as an attempt to spark communal tensions and labeled it “hate speech.”

Judicial Rebuke and Legal Proceedings

The Delhi High Court wasted no time in responding. Justice Amit Bansal labeled the remark “indefensible” and expressed disbelief that such a comment could be made in a promotional context. When Ramdev’s proxy counsel sought a delay, the court insisted on the presence of the main counsel, warning of a “very strong order” otherwise.

Eventually, Ramdev’s senior advocate, Rajiv Nayar, informed the court that the advertisements would be withdrawn. The court further directed Ramdev to provide a written undertaking that he would refrain from making any future statements or releasing any promotional content that Hamdard might find objectionable. An affidavit to this effect has been ordered by May 1.

Patanjali’s Checkered Past with Product Claims

This isn’t Ramdev’s first brush with legal scrutiny. During the height of the pandemic, Patanjali launched “Coronil,” marketed as an “evidence-based cure” for COVID-19. The company claimed WHO certification—an assertion quickly debunked by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which branded it a “blatant lie.”

Following widespread backlash, including a Supreme Court hearing, Ramdev and his aide Balkrishna were forced to apologize and pull misleading advertisements. In 2022, Patanjali again faced criticism for publishing ads that disparaged allopathic medicine and claimed its products could cure chronic diseases like liver cirrhosis, asthma, and diabetes.

Despite regulatory rebukes and mounting scrutiny, Ramdev’s strategy of polarizing promotion has continued to court both controversy and publicity.

Are the Products Worth the Hype—or Harm?

Patanjali’s herbal offerings have played a pivotal role in the resurgence of Ayurvedic consumption in India. Its branding, which fuses nationalism with traditional wellness, has earned it a devoted consumer base. However, the brand’s reliance on aggressive marketing—often at the cost of scientific accuracy and social harmony—raises important ethical questions.

While Ayurvedic products have their place in holistic wellness, their promotion should rest on verified health benefits, not inflammatory rhetoric. Rooh Afza, a century-old product rooted in Unani tradition, has been a staple across Indian households, transcending religious lines. Ramdev’s attempt to communalize consumer preference threatens to undermine not just a brand—but a social fabric.

Commerce, Community, and Responsibility

In a country as diverse as India, branding must walk a fine line between cultural relevance and communal responsibility. Baba Ramdev’s remarks have once again highlighted how commercial rivalry can dangerously intersect with divisive ideology.

As the Delhi High Court steps in to uphold constitutional values, the onus is now on influential figures like Ramdev to use their platform with discernment. Patanjali’s products may serve public health—but its messaging must not poison public discourse.

(With inputs from agencies)

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