Delhi High Court Condemns Ramdev’s ‘Sharbat Jihad’ Comment

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday expressed profound dismay over a statement attributed to Yoga guru Ramdev, who allegedly described Hamdard’s Rooh Afza as part of a “sharbat jihad,” calling the remark indefensible and deeply troubling.

During a hearing of a petition filed by Hamdard National Foundation India against Ramdev’s Patanjali Foods Ltd, Justice Amit Bansal stated that the comment “shocks the conscience of the court.” He urged Ramdev’s legal counsel to seek instructions from their client, warning of a potential strong judicial order if the matter was not addressed.

Hamdard’s legal team informed the court that Ramdev, while promoting Patanjali’s gulab sharbat, had claimed that profits from Rooh Afza were being used to fund the construction of madrasas and mosques. Ramdev later clarified that his statement did not target any specific brand or community.

Representing Hamdard, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that the issue transcended mere product disparagement, accusing Ramdev of fostering a “communal divide.” He labeled the “sharbat jihad” remark as hate speech, questioning why Ramdev was interfering with Hamdard’s business operations.

The court deferred the matter to a later date due to the absence of Ramdev’s counsel, who was unavailable to argue the case.