On April 16, Baba Ramdev, a well-known Indian yoga guru, admitted to making an error and expressed his regret to the court for disregarding its orders to cease misleading advertisements that assert his traditional ayurvedic medicines can cure chronic illnesses like diabetes. Dressed in a saffron-colored robe, Ramdev humbly appealed to two Supreme Court judges with folded hands, acknowledging that he felt compelled to respond after his company Patanjali Ayurved’s highly sought-after medicines were criticized as “pseudo-science” by detractors. Despite this, he clarified that he was not attempting to justify his actions. The Supreme Court had previously rejected two formal apologies from Ramdev and his business partner Acharya Balkrishna, conveyed through their legal representatives, in the contempt case. Additionally, the court reprimanded the head of a state drugs regulator for failing to take legal action against the company.
Ramdev openly admitted his mistake to the judges in the crowded courtroom, stating that their previous statements were unwarranted. He emphasized that he has a vast following and will be more cautious in the future. The case against him stems from allegations by the Indian Medical Association that Patanjali denigrates conventional medicines and persists in disseminating misleading advertisements. Despite being a prominent figure in India with a significant yoga following, Ramdev was reminded by Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah not to undermine allopathy, referring to mainstream medical treatments. At the commencement of the hearing, Ramdev’s lawyer, Mukul Rohatgi, informed the court that both Ramdev and the company were prepared to issue a public apology. The court scheduled the next hearing for April 23.
Ramdev has previously dismissed any criticism regarding traditional medicines and has accused certain doctors of disseminating propaganda against their utilization. Furthermore, he has previously appeared alongside ministers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.