In a significant turn of events, Patanjali Ayurved and its Managing Director, Acharya Balkrishna, have tendered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court for their controversial advertisements targeting evidence-based medicine. 

The apology, submitted in an affidavit to the apex court, comes amidst allegations of a smear campaign against the COVID-19 vaccination drive and modern medicine by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

The affidavit, a response to the IMA's plea, expressed Patanjali's commitment to refrain from future advertisements of a similar nature, clarifying that their intention was solely to promote the benefits of Ayurveda. Balkrishna emphasized that the company's aim is to encourage citizens to lead healthier lives through the consumption of Ayurvedic products, grounded in ancient literature and supplemented by scientific research.

The controversy surrounding Patanjali's advertisements escalated when the Supreme Court threatened stringent penalties for false claims made in their promotions. With the court emphasizing the need to avoid reducing the issue to a debate between allopathy and Ayurveda, Patanjali was directed not to publish misleading advertisements and to abstain from making adverse statements against other forms of medicine.

Despite these directives, Patanjali's advertisements continued, leading to a temporary ban imposed by the court in February of this year. This action was accompanied by contempt of court notices issued to the company and Balkrishna for persisting with misleading claims regarding their products' efficacy in curing diseases.

The Supreme Court's stance reflects its concern over misleading medical advertisements and the potential harm they pose to public health. By holding Patanjali accountable for its actions, the court underscores the importance of adhering to regulations and ensuring that advertising claims are supported by empirical evidence.

The upcoming hearing scheduled for April 2 signals the court's determination to address the issue comprehensively. With both Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna summoned to appear personally, it is evident that the judiciary is committed to upholding the integrity of medical advertising and safeguarding public trust in healthcare products.

Case: Indian Medical Association & Anr vs. Union of India and Ors.