New Delhi: Acharya Balkrishna, the managing director of Patanjali Ayurved and a close associate of Yoga guru Ramdev, has expressed regret to the Supreme Court for the company’s dissemination of misleading information regarding its products and their medicinal properties.
The apology was submitted recently following the court’s criticism of Patanjali Ayurved for its failure to address a contempt notice regarding deceptive advertisements. Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah directed Balkrishna and Ramdev to appear before the court on April 2.
In an official statement to the court, Balkrishna emphasized his profound respect for the legal system and issued an unreserved apology, assuring that the company would refrain from issuing such misleading advertisements in the future.
Balkrishna clarified that Patanjali’s objective is to encourage healthier lifestyles among citizens by promoting products based on ancient literature and ayurvedic research, particularly for lifestyle-related ailments.
He further commented on the outdated nature of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, asserting that Patanjali now possesses evidence-based scientific data derived from clinical research in Ayurveda.
The affidavit stressed the company’s commitment to providing holistic, evidence-based solutions rooted in Ayurveda and Yoga to alleviate lifestyle-related medical issues and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
Established in 2006 by Ramdev and Balkrishna, Patanjali Ayurved is a multinational corporation producing various products including ayurvedic medicine, cosmetics, and food items.
The company has faced scrutiny over its advertisements promoting the effectiveness of its products.
The Supreme Court’s recent admonishment of Patanjali cited its failure to respond to a contempt notice, reiterating its directive for Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear in court. The court also noted discrepancies between Patanjali Ayurved’s advertisements and assurances provided to the court last year.
Previously, Patanjali’s legal representatives had assured the court that the company would adhere to all laws and refrain from making misleading statements about medicinal efficacy or criticizing other medical systems.
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleging a campaign by Ramdev against the Covid vaccination drive and modern medicine.
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