Ramdev's 'sharbat jihad' remark shocks conscience: Delhi HC

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday took exception to Baba Ramdev's purported remark of "sharbat jihad" on Hamdard's Rooh Afza, saying it "shocked the conscience" and was indefensible, forcing the Yoga guru to assure he will immediately take down related online content.

A single judge bench of Justice Amit Bansal warned of strong order against Baba Ramdev, while hearing a plea of Hamdard National Foundation India against Ramdev's Patanjali Foods Ltd.

Upon the court's warning, Ramdev's counsel said all advertisements--print or video--aside from social media posts over the contentious remarks will be immediately taken down.

The judge directed the counsel to file an affidavit on Ramdev's behalf, saying, "I could not believe my eyes and ears when I saw this (videos)."

The order stated, "Let an affidavit be also placed on record by defendant number 2 (Ramdev) stating that he undertakes he shall not issue any such statements, advertisements or tweets or social media posts in the future concerning competitors' products."

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, for Hamdard, said while promoting Patanjali's "gulab sharbat" recently, Ramdev claimed that the money earned from Hamdard's Rooh Afza was used to build madrasas and mosques.

Ramdev defended his remarks, saying he did not name any brand or community.

Rohatgi claimed the case had gone beyond disparagement as it was creating a "communal divide".

"This amounts to hate speech. He says it is a sharbat jihad. He should carry on his business. Why is he troubling us?" he asked.

Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, also representing Hamdard, said Ramdev should not target the religion of the company founders.

Senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Ramdev and Patanjali, contended Hamdard was not a custodian of the religion.

Sethi retorted, "I am a custodian of humanity."

Rohatgi, who represented Baba Ramdev in the Supreme Court, said the Yoga Guru, had previously faced strictures from the top court for targeting allopathy and that "a hard hand is required to nip this in the bud".

Nayar said Ramdev cannot be stopped from expressing his political views but said an affidavit on the issue of disparagement of the competitors' products will be filed.

Ramdev and Patanjali were not against any religion, he added.

"If he gives an opinion then he cannot be stopped. You can't stop somebody from expressing an opinion," Nayar said.

The court, however, said, "He can hold these opinions in his head, need not express them."

Ramdev was ordered to file the affidavit within five days and the matter would come up on May 1.