The Supreme Court of India on April 2 questioned the central government on its inaction against misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved.
A SC bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah heard the matter today and refused to accept the apologies of Baba Ramdev and Patanjali MD Acharya Balkrishna in a contempt case concerning its order about the company’s misleading advertisements for its medicinal products.
Addressing the Centre’s counsel Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the apex court said it has questions for the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) Ministry, Bar & Bench reported.
It noted that the ministry should have been proactive in clarifying its stance that ayurvedic products are supplementary to other medicines and that users are not meant to do away with allopathic treatment, it added.
“We have questions for AYUSH. You issued notice to Patanjali and they filed a reply and reply is not before us and we are wondering why. COVID-19 was in 2022 and you had yourself stated that these were at best a supplement to the main medicine. This was not publicized at all. Nothing could move without Central go-ahead during COVID-19 and you did nothing to make this known. It was a critical period,” Justice Kohli stated.
Justice Kohli also questioned the Centre for failing to take action against Patanjali despite the company’s attempts to disparage modern medicine.
“AYUSH has much to commend and there is a limit to what they can do. But the manner in which other modes have been disparaged is utterly shocking. They have mocked the others. Have you seen the transcript?” Justice Kohli asked.
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