New Delhi: Baba Ramdev’s remark comparing ‘Sharbat Jihad’ with ‘love jihad’ was today considered ‘unforgivable’ by the Delhi High Court, which said such comments violate the court’s ‘mandate and conscience’. The remarks pertaining to Hamdard’s iconic drink ‘Rooh Afza’ are a part of an ongoing legal battle between Ramdev and the Hamdard company.
The court was hearing a defamation case between Hamdard and Ramdev. Hamdard was represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who argued that Ramdev was “certainly attacking” Hamdard “on religious lines”, adding that Ramdev was “targeting the brand and the owners of Hamdard.” He also said the word ‘Sharbat Jihad’, used by Ramdev, was an attack on a community.
Ramdev’s lawyer, Rajeev Nayar, told the court that all advertisements in question would be retracted. But the court said it will pass a “very strict order” if the lawyer fails to appear again at 12 PM. It relates to a video in which Ramdev was purportedly seen saying that Hamdard was spending money on temples, mosques, and madrasas with the ‘Sharbat Jihad’ tag.
At the hearing, the court told Ramdev’s team to file an affidavit in three to five days stating that such remarks or advertisements would not be made in the future. The court further directed the removal of all videos and related content from media platforms and the editing out of the same from videos or content that has already been uploaded.
Ramdev drew the ire over the comments he made on April 3, 2025, while promoting his company “Gulab Sharbat”. But he later clarified that no person or entity was named directly in his comments.
During the hearing, Rohatgi said Ramdev was making “defamatory” statements against Hamdard and its Muslim owners “continuously”, which was detrimental and “may disturb peace, harmony and communal goodwill”. He claimed the comments amounted to hate speech and that defamation protections do not apply to such statements.
The court was also told Ramdev had made similar controversial statements against the Himalaya company, also owned by a Muslim. This was not the first time he received criticism from the Supreme Court for speaking out against allopathic medicine.
The ongoing legal battle was followed by a hearing next for May 1, 2025, as per the schedule released by the Delhi High Court.