Yoga guru and Patanjali Ayurved founder Baba Ramdev has found himself at the center of fresh legal trouble after the Delhi High Court strongly criticized his recent “sharbat jihad” comment aimed at the popular drink Rooh Afza, manufactured by Hamdard Laboratories.
Justice Amit Bansal, while hearing Hamdard’s lawsuit against Ramdev, minced no words during the proceedings. “It shocks the conscience of the court. This is indefensible,” the judge remarked, pulling up Ramdev for the controversial statement which many have termed communal and inflammatory.
Ramdev’s ‘Sharbat Jihad’ Comment Sparks Legal Firestorm
Earlier this month, Baba Ramdev had released a promotional video for Patanjali’s rose sherbet where — without directly naming Rooh Afza — he suggested that money earned from the sale of a certain sherbet was being used to fund the construction of mosques and madrasas.
In the now-viral clip, Ramdev declared: “A company uses money earned from selling sherbet to build mosques and madrasas. If you drink that sherbet, mosques and madrasas will be built. But if you drink Patanjali rose sherbet, gurukuls and Patanjali University will be built. Like love jihad and vote jihad, a sharbat jihad is also on.”
While Ramdev later defended himself by claiming he never explicitly named Rooh Afza or Hamdard, the statement prompted immediate outrage on social media and beyond. Hamdard Laboratories, known for its century-old herbal and Unani products, moved the Delhi High Court, seeking the removal of the video from all social media platforms and legal action against Ramdev for damaging its brand reputation.
Hamdard Slams Ramdev’s Comments as “Hate Speech”
Representing Hamdard in court, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi described Ramdev’s remarks as not just disparagement but an outright attempt at fueling a communal divide.
“This is not a typical commercial dispute, this is hate speech in the garb of promotion. Such comments go far beyond mere product rivalry and aim to polarize the public,” Rohatgi argued, urging the court to issue immediate directions for the removal of the video.
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The Delhi High Court appeared to agree, suggesting that the video had crossed ethical and legal boundaries, and hinted at further action pending the next hearing. The court’s sharp observation also adds to growing concerns about how celebrity entrepreneurs and influencers use their platforms to blend marketing with ideological messaging.
Ramdev’s History of Controversial Statements
This isn’t the first time Baba Ramdev has stirred controversy through his public statements. The yoga icon and Patanjali co-founder has frequently faced criticism for using nationalist and religious rhetoric in his promotional campaigns. His remarks often blur the line between advertising and ideological advocacy, drawing both loyal followers and legal scrutiny.
The latest court proceedings could open the door for wider debate around brand ethics, hate speech, and communal harmony in India’s increasingly competitive FMCG market, where companies like Patanjali and Hamdard vie for dominance in the traditional and Ayurvedic wellness space.
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The Delhi High Court will resume hearing the case soon, but its initial remarks make it clear that the judiciary is unlikely to take the matter lightly. For now, Hamdard’s legal team is pushing for the removal of the video, while Ramdev and Patanjali have not issued any fresh statement in response to the court’s scathing remarks.
As tensions rise between traditional heritage brands and modern nationalist entrepreneurs, this case could set an important legal precedent for how companies market products in an increasingly polarized landscape.
