Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has ignited a new controversy after using the phrase “sharbat jihad” in a viral video, where he alleged that the profits from certain sharbat brands, including Rooh Afza, were being used to fund the construction of mosques and madrasas. The video, shared by the ‘Patanjali Products’ page on Facebook, was accompanied by a Hindi caption urging people to avoid “toilet cleaner-like poison” disguised as cold beverages.
In the footage, Ramdev criticizes soft drinks, claiming that they are no different from toilet cleaners, and calls it an “attack” on the health of the people. He contends that profits from some sharbat sales are allegedly being directed towards religious institutions, whereas Patanjali’s rose sharbat supposedly supports Indian educational initiatives such as gurukuls and Patanjali University.
Ramdev coined the term “sharbat jihad”, drawing a parallel to “love jihad” and “vote jihad”, and warned people to avoid contributing to such practices. His comments have triggered widespread reactions, with many social media users mocking the idea of another “jihad” term being introduced. Critics have also pointed out Ramdev’s apparent marketing strategy behind the remarks.
This is not Ramdev’s first run-in with controversy. Previously, the Supreme Court ordered him to apologize for falsely claiming that Patanjali products could cure serious ailments.
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