On July 29, 2024, the Delhi High Court issued a directive to Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna, ordering them to retract statements that falsely blamed allopathy for COVID-19 deaths and promoted Patanjali’s Coronil as a cure for the virus.
Interim Injunction Granted
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed the order in response to an interim injunction application filed by various doctors’ associations in 2021. The court directed Ramdev and Balkrishna to remove the controversial content from all social media platforms, websites, and the internet within three days. If they fail to comply, social media intermediaries will be instructed to take down the content.
Allegations of Misinformation
The doctors’ associations contended that Baba Ramdev’s statements misled the public, potentially causing people to avoid hospitalization by suggesting that allopathy was responsible for COVID-19 fatalities. They argued that such misinformation undermines trust in established medical treatments and COVID-19 vaccines.
Court’s Judgment on Coronil
The court’s 55-page judgment criticized the promotion of Coronil as a COVID-19 cure. It deemed such promotion as egregious and potentially illegal. The court noted that Coronil is licensed only as an immunity booster and not as a treatment or cure for COVID-19. The application to update Coronil’s license from an “immunity booster” to a “medicine for COVID-19” was denied following a detailed assessment.
Health Risks and Legal Implications
Justice Bhambhani warned that allowing Ramdev and Balkrishna to continue promoting Coronil could endanger public health and harm the reputation of Ayurveda. The court emphasized that anecdotal evidence cannot replace statutory approval or certification for treating COVID-19.
Role of Influential Figures
The suit, filed by multiple Resident Doctors Associations, highlighted Ramdev’s influence and the potential impact of his statements on public health choices. The associations argued that Ramdev’s high-profile status could divert people from opting for allopathic treatment, which is endorsed by the government as a standard care protocol.
Case Information
- Case Title: Resident Doctors Association, AIIMS (Rishikesh) & Ors. v. Ram Kishan Yadav alias Swami Ramdev & Ors.