Delhi High Court raps Baba Ramdev for another "communal" video targeting Hamdard

The Delhi High Court on Thursday slammed Baba Ramdev for a new video targeting Hamdard, the food company that he has previously attacked with communal slurs on social media [Hamdard National Foundation India v. Patanjali Foods Limited & Anr]..Hamdard had last week sued the Patanjali co-founder for the videos that particularly targeted its popular drink Rooh Afza. Ramdev had then undertaken to takedown the videos, particularly after the High Court observed that his remarks were indefensible and shocked the court's conscience. The Court was today informed that he has published another video with objectionable remarks against Hamdard. .Justice Amit Bansal took strong exception to Ramdev's conduct and said it would issue a contempt of court notice to him and summon him to Court. "He lives in his own world," the Court remarked..Following the critical observations of Court, Ramdev's counsel agreed to take down the objectionable portions from the latest video within 24 hours on all social media platforms. The Court asked that an affidavit of compliance be filed within a week.The matter will again be taken up for hearing on Friday to ascertain compliance with the earlier order..Ramdev had initially made the controversial remarks on April 3 while promoting his company's product - Gulab Sharbat. In a video, he targeted Hamdard's Rooh Afza and claimed that Hamdard was using its money for building masjids and madrasas. Ramdev also used the term 'sharbat jihad' in his video. Hamdard then moved the Court against him and Patanjali..After the Court last week took exception to his remarks, Ramdev had agreed to file an affidavit stating that he will not issue such statements, advertisements and social media posts in future.Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing Hamdard, today submitted that Ramdev has posted another video with communal overtones. "Compare the original and new video. They both refer to Hamdard, both say that I am using profits to build masjid and madrasas and both have tenor of communal speech. In both, he says we belong to particular community and we are pursuing community interests," Sethi submitted. However, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Ramdev, submitted that there was no disparagement of Hamdard's product in the latest video and the order to takedown earlier videos has already been complied with..Nayar also attempted to draw the Court's attention towards the contents of the affidavit filed by Ramdev. "Para 3 in affidavit is important where he says, " I don't distinguish between religions,” he said. The Court, however, appeared unconvinced due to the latest video."I don't care about his political views. I am concerned with the suit. How do we ensure compliance...that he does not refer to their name, their goods?" Justice Bansal asked.Nayar responded that there cannot be a permanent gag order against Ramdev. At this, the Court said,"If that is the stance, then we will issue contempt notices. The tone and tenor of the new video is almost similar."Following the submission that Ramdev's latest video will be taken down, the Court did not issue the contempt of court notice. .Senior Advocate A.S. Chandhiok and Sandeep Sethi along with Advocates Pravin Anand, Dhruv Anand, Udita Patro, Shivendra Pratap Singh, Dhananjay Khanna, Sampurnaa Sanyal, Nimrat Singh, Navdeep Suhag and Meher Khanna appeared for Hamdard. Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar appeared for Patanjali and Ramdev.