Baba Ramdev gives undertaking to Delhi High Court on controversial video against rival brand

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Friday, May 2, 2025, gave an undertaking in the Delhi High Court that he will not issue any disparaging statement or publish on social media, posts similar to his “sharbat jihad” remark against Hamdard’s Rooh Afza.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Friday (May 2, 2025) gave an undertaking in the Delhi High Court that he will not issue any disparaging statement or publish on social media, posts similar to his “sharbat jihad” remark against Hamdard’s Rooh Afza.

The court asked Mr. Ramdev’s counsel to file an affidavit during the day. A similar undertaking was also tendered by Mr. Ramdev’s Patanjali Foods Ltd.

The court passed the order while dealing with a lawsuit by Hamdard National Foundation India against Mr. Ramdev and his Patanjali Foods Ltd over the controversial remarks.

Hamdard claimed while promoting Patanjali’s “gulab sharbat”, Mr. Ramdev alleged that the money earned from Hamdard’s Rooh Afza was used to build madrasas and mosques.

Last week, after the court slammed Ramdev over his remarks allegedly targeting Hamdard’s popular drink Rooh Afza as “Sharbat Jihad”, the yoga guru had agreed to immediately take down all related videos.

The court had then described Mr. Ramdev’s video as “indefensible” and “shocking” to the conscience of the court.

On Friday, Hamdard’s counsel said instead of taking down the objectionable video from the YouTube platform, the defendant had only made it private.

Mr. Ramdev’s counsel, on the other hand, said he had “great respect for the court” and its directions would be complied with.

The court then posted the matter on May 9.