'Shocks the conscience': Delhi HC on Ramdev's viral 'sharbat jihad' remark

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on Ramdev, founder of Patanjali, for making a communal remark referring to Rooh Afza as part of a so-called "Sharbat Jihad." The remark was made while introducing a new drink from his brand, in a video that went viral.

During the hearing, Justice Amit Bansal responded strongly to the petition filed by Hamdard National Foundation, reportedly stating that Ramdev’s remarks “shock the conscience of the court.”

The controversial statement was made in a promotional video where Ramdev said, “A certain company makes sharbat and proceeds to build mosques, while our proceeds go into building Gurukuls.”

“Earlier it was Love Jihad, now this is Sharbat Jihad,” he added.

Hamdard, the manufacturer of the iconic Rooh Afza, has been in business for over 100 years, producing Ayurvedic medicines, oils, syrups, and non-alcoholic beverages. The foundation moved to High Court seeking action against the communal targeting of its brand.