The Delhi High Court on Tuesday strongly criticized Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev for making communal remarks against pharmaceutical and food company Hamdard and its iconic drink, Rooh Afza.

The rebuke came during a preliminary hearing on a suit filed by Hamdard against Ramdev and Patanjali.

Justice Amit Bansal expressed serious concern over the nature of the statements, remarking, "It shocks the conscience of the court. Indefensible." The Court also directed the counsel representing Ramdev to seek instructions and ensure his presence for further proceedings.

The controversy stems from a video dated April 3, in which Ramdev, while promoting Patanjali’s Gulaab Sharbat, took aim at Hamdard’s Rooh Afza. He accused the company of diverting its profits to fund masjids and madrasas, and used the term “sharbat jihad.”

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Hamdard, argued that Ramdev’s remarks amounted to more than just commercial disparagement, stating, “This is a case of creating a communal divide, akin to hate speech. Such conduct goes beyond the scope of defamation law and cannot be permitted.” He emphasized that such videos must be removed immediately to prevent further harm, adding, “We already have enough problems in the country.”

Rohatgi further submitted that Ramdev had also targeted another brand, Himalaya, allegedly due to its Muslim ownership. He reminded the Court that Ramdev had previously faced censure from the Supreme Court for controversial statements against allopathy.

In a lighter moment, Rohatgi acknowledged he had once appeared on the "wrong side" in that earlier matter, but reiterated the need for firm judicial intervention in the current case, stating, “A hard hand is required to nip this in the bud.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has lodged a police complaint against Ramdev in Bhopal, accusing him of inciting religious hatred. According to a report in the Times of India, Ramdev later defended his comments, claiming he did not mention any specific brand by name in the video.

The matter is expected to proceed further in the coming days, with the High Court indicating the possibility of a strong order.