The Supreme Court orders immediate ban on all electronic and print advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved.

In a scathing indictment, the Supreme Court of India has criticised the Central Government for its lack of action against Patanjali Ayurved, co-owned by yoga guru Ramdev, in a case involving “misleading and false” advertisements. The apex court remarked that the government is “sitting with its eyes closed” while the entire country is being misled through such advertisements.

The court has issued a contempt notice and directed Patanjali Ayurved to cease all electronic and print advertisements with immediate effect. This stern stance comes after the Supreme Court had cautioned the company in November 2023 against making false and misleading claims in advertisements related to its medicines. 

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The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had brought several advertisements to the court’s attention, alleging that they projected allopathy and doctors in a poor light. The IMA argued that disparaging statements had been made by firms involved in the production of ayurvedic medicines, aiming to mislead the general public.

Among the contentious advertisements highlighted by the IMA were those claiming that medical practitioners themselves were dying despite taking modern medicines. The Supreme Court, in its latest directive, emphasised the urgent need for the government to address this issue and put an end to misleading advertisements that can cause grave harm to public health.

The Patanjali case reflects the ongoing tension between traditional and modern medicine in India, while underscoring the importance of responsible advertising and the government’s role in ensuring public trust in healthcare.