The Centre has responded to the Supreme Court regarding the case of the misleading advertisement against Patanjali Ayurved and its founders, Yoga guru Ramdev and Balkrishna. The court had earlier criticized Patanjali’s advertisements and the lack of action by the Uttarakhand authorities.
BACKGROUND
The Supreme Court had rebuked Patanjali for its advertisements, calling them unlawful. It also criticized Ramdev and Balkrishna for not filing proper affidavits and rejected Patanjali’s apology. The court directed them to submit fresh affidavits.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had raised concerns about Patanjali’s advertisements in 2022, alleging they were false and misleading. The ads reportedly portrayed allopathy and doctors in a negative light.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The Centre’s reply emphasized that healthcare choices should be left to individuals, whether they prefer Ayush or allopathy. The government discourages the denigration of any healthcare system and encourages the integration of Ayush with allopathy for holistic health.
KEY ASPECTS
- The Centre clarified that states have the authority to act against advertisements making miraculous claims.
- It stated that Patanjali’s claim of developing a COVID-19 cure, Coronil, was under examination by the Ayush Ministry.
- The government’s policy advocates an integrative healthcare system, allowing individuals to choose their preferred system of medicine.
The Centre’s response highlights the importance of respecting all healthcare systems and individual choices. It underscores the need for mutual respect among practitioners of different systems of medicine and encourages the integration of Ayush with allopathy for better healthcare outcomes.
SOURCE- NDTV
