BATTLE FOR AYURVEDA: PATANJALI, THE MAIN TARGET
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali managing director Acharya Balkrishna issued an “unconditional apology” to the Supreme Court after the Supreme Court bench criticized their company for non-compliance with earlier notices regarding misleading advertising. The ad claimed that Patanjali drugs had cured people of diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid, liver cirrhosis, arthritis and asthma. The court summoned them on April 2 for defying its orders. Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna issue a second apology to the Supreme Court on the April 24 for non-compliance with directives on misleading advertisements, with the new apology being larger in size. The bench will hear the case next on May 7.
A video by the youtuber ShortCuts by AB sheds a little more light on this controversy. Could this be a plot by Big Pharma to discredit and tarnish Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine? That’s what he says in a 22-minute video. The video is a poignant exposé that reveals the harsh realities lurking beneath the surface of India’s healthcare landscape. When it comes to false advertising, there are a number of popular brands.
“We live in a country where it is said that gutkha has the power of saffron. Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan are the ones endorsing the brand. Another brand is positioned as a lightening cream, which gives radiance in 14 days. Shahrukh Khan endorses a juice sold as 100% pure fruit juice, even though it contains only 2% fruit concentrate.”, says the youtuber. What makes Patanjali different from these popular brands? Patanjali is worth around €3,000 billion and has capitalised on the growing demand for natural and herbal products. The absence of harmful chemicals in its products was a major selling point. An aspect that affects big pharma. The pharmaceutical lobby crushes everything that germinates and dies on the spot.
“These people are patenting our Pranayama by making it a breathing exercise, intense breathing exercise. These people are calling yoga postures as exercise or Muscle Relaxation is being patented by giving such a name and if it continues like this, then in the coming time, Indian Yoga practitioners and those who get such activities done will be given certificates from the Allopathic Certification System by Ayurvedic people. They will have to pay royalty. There is not only Ramdev on Target, there is Ayurvedic System of Medicine on Target.”, he states in the video.
Baba Ramdev’s influence has significantly propelled Ayurveda and Yoga into the mainstream, disrupting the market dynamics and prompting big companies to integrate Ayurvedic certification into their products, indicating a broader agenda aimed at undermining the Ayurvedic system of medicine and its remedies.
During the contempt case hearing against Patanjali Ayurved, the Supreme Court directed its attention towards the Indian Medical Association (IMA) after Patanjali’s lawyer highlighted an interview given by the IMA President criticizing the court’s observations regarding complaints of unethical practices by doctors. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi flagged the interview, calling it ‘disturbing’, and quoted the IMA President’s remarks as “unfortunate” and “vague”. Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah expressed seriousness over the matter, warning of potential consequences. They also emphasized the need for the IMA to explain its stance and suggested that self-certification is insufficient. The court allowed the interview to be brought on record and set a deadline for submission. This development occurred within the context of a contempt petition filed by the IMA against Patanjali Ayurved for misleading medical advertisements.
Various legal organizations, retired judges, journalists, lawyers, activists, physicians, non- governmental organizations, government officials, Ayurvedic and Naturopathy practitioners have rallied behind Patanjali, perceiving the stance taken by Justices Khan and Kohli as an attack on Indian Knowledge Traditions and Ayurveda specifically. Advocates Nilesh Ojha and Ishwarlal Agarwal have submitted a petition highlighting the alleged unethical practices of the judges influenced by global pharmaceutical interests. They aim to protect Ayurveda’s integrity and secure fair judgment from the Supreme Court. The petitioners demand criminal charges against the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for promoting harmful vaccines and medicines, accusing them of serving the interests of the pharma mafia.