Patanjali ads case: Ramdev, Balkrishna issue fresh apology
What's the story
Patanjali Ayurved Co-founder and Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and the firm's Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna have issued an apology in Wednesday's newspapers for their non-compliance with the Supreme Court directives in the misleading advertisements case. This comes a day after the court pulled up the two over the "microscopic" size of the public apology advertisements issued by the company in Tuesday's newspapers. Notably, the apology published in Wednesday's newspapers—titled "Unconditional Public Apology"—takes up about a quarter of the printed page.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The top court is currently hearing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleging a smear campaign by Patanjali against modern systems of medicine. On February 27, the SC directed Patanjali to immediately halt all electronic and print advertisements containing "misleading information" about its products. This followed a warning in November 2023. Earlier this month, Ramdev and Balkrishna apologized to the court after it reprimanded them for holding a press conference and violating court orders.
Public commitment
Ramdev, Balkrishna apologize for their advertising mistakes
Wednesday's apology also mentioned a press conference held in 2023. The apology said, "We unconditionally extend the apology for holding meeting/press conference dated November 22, 2023." It also expressed regret for their advertising mistakes. "We earnestly apologize for the mistake made in publishing our advertisements and it is our whole-hearted commitment that such errors will not be repeated," the apology added. It also pledged to "abide by directions and instructions of the court with...sincerity."
Legal proceedings
Court questions prominence of Patanjali's previous apology
During a court hearing, Justices Hima Kohli and A Amanullah on Tuesday asked if the "apology [issued by Patanjali] was the same size as its advertisements." Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Ramdev and Balkrishna, informed the court that the initial apology was published in 67 newspapers at a cost of ₹10 lakh. The Supreme Court has further instructed Patanjali Ayurved to submit copies of their newspaper ads without enlarging them, in order to evaluate their actual size.
Scope of investigation
Court requests IMA to provide records of actions taken
Expanding the scope of its investigation to include allopathic practitioners suspected of prescribing unnecessary and costly medicines, the court on Tuesday also asked the petitioners IMA to provide records of actions taken on complaints received against such doctors. "We are of the opinion that the petitioner association also needs to put its house in order," said the bench, referring to allegations of unethical activities among IMA members. The National Medical Commission (NMC) was also included in the case.