'He lives in his own world': Delhi HC pulls up Ramdev over 'Sharbat jihad' row

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Thursday observed that Yoga guru Ramdev was "living in his own world" while finding him in prima facie contempt of its earlier order regarding his controversial "sharbat jihad" remarks against Hamdard's Rooh Afza.
Justice Amit Bansal noted that despite the court's April 22 directive prohibiting statements or videos about Hamdard's products, Ramdev had published a video containing objectionable content. "In view of the last order, his affidavit as well as this video are prima facie in contempt," stated Justice Bansal.
"He (Ramdev) is not in control of anyone. He lives in his own world," the judge remarked.

The case stems from a plea filed by Hamdard National Foundation India against Ramdev and Patanjali Foods Ltd. Hamdard's counsel alleged that while promoting Patanjali's gulab sharbat, Ramdev claimed that profits from Rooh Afza were being used to construct madrasas and mosques.
In a previous hearing, the court had expressed strong disapproval of Ramdev's "sharbat jihad" remarks, noting that they "shook its conscience" and were "indefensible." Following this, Ramdev had assured the court he would remove all related videos and social media posts immediately.
Defending his statements, Ramdev had claimed he hadn't named any specific brand or community, saying, "The Rooh Afza people took 'sharbat jihad' on themselves... this means they are doing this 'jihad'."
The controversy gained attention when Congress leader Digvijaya Singh approached Bhopal's TT Nagar police station, demanding an FIR against Ramdev for allegedly promoting religious hatred and hurting communal sentiments.
(With PTI inputs)