"We are committed not to repeat this mistake": Patanjali Ayurved Issues Public Apology Ahead of Supreme Court Hearing on Misleading Ads Case

Patanjali Ayurved issued a public apology ahead of the scheduled Supreme Court hearing in connection with a case involving misleading advertisements. The apology underscored the company's profound respect for the court and pledged to avoid repeating its mistakes. Patanjali expressed regret for recent actions and assured the Supreme Court of its commitment to upholding the court's dignity and the constitution. The apology comes after the Supreme Court reprimanded Acharya Balkrishna and Baba Ramdev, founders of Patanjali, for promoting misleading advertisements related to their ayurvedic products.

In response to the Supreme Court's scrutiny, Patanjali Ayurved expressed deep regret and commitment to rectifying its actions. Despite previous rebuffs, the company was given a week to issue a public statement acknowledging its involvement in the misleading advertisement case.

An advertisement published in a national Hindi newspaper conveyed Patanjali's heartfelt apology and reiterated its respect for the Supreme Court's authority. The company acknowledged its mistakes in publishing ads and holding press conferences despite assurances from its legal counsel, vowing not to repeat such errors in the future. "We tender our heartfelt apology for the mistakes committed in publishing ads and holding press conferences despite the assurances by our counsel. We are committed not to repeat this mistake," reads the ad published by Patanjali.

During a hearing last week, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice A Amanullah underscored the importance of genuine remorse and warned that mere apologies would not suffice. The company was given a week to issue a public apology. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi informed the court of the duo's willingness to issue a public apology, signaling their recognition of the seriousness of the situation. Patanjali Ayurved reaffirmed its commitment to rectifying the mistake and avoiding similar incidents in the future, emphasizing its reverence for the Supreme Court and its dedication to upholding the Constitution.

The case, initiated by the Indian Medical Association, alleges Patanjali's involvement in a smear campaign against modern medicine and COVID-19 vaccines. In earlier proceedings, the Supreme Court dismissed Ramdev and Balkrishna's affidavits containing "unconditional apologies," asserting that these apologies were merely superficial.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Patanjali introduced Coronil, which its co-founder Ramdev touted as the "first evidence-based medicine for COVID-19." Despite claims of World Health Organization certification, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) labeled this assertion as a "blatant lie." Tensions between Patanjali and the medical community escalated further when a viral video featured Ramdev criticizing allopathy as a "stupid and bankrupt science." In response, the IMA demanded an apology from Ramdev, to which Patanjali Yogpeeth explained that Ramdev was merely reciting a forwarded WhatsApp message and held no hostility towards modern science. In August 2022, the IMA filed a petition against Patanjali after it published an advertisement alleging misconceptions spread by allopathy, claiming that Patanjali drugs could cure various diseases, prompting the Supreme Court to caution Patanjali against such assertions and threaten hefty fines.

Subsequently, despite assurances from Patanjali's counsel to abide by advertising laws, the Supreme Court received an anonymous letter on January 15, detailing ongoing misleading advertisements by Patanjali. After Patanjali failed to respond to a contempt notice on March 19, the court summoned Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear in person. During the April 2 hearing, the court criticized them for their "absolute defiance" and rejected their subsequent apologies on April 10, deeming them insincere.​