(Image source from: Indianexpress.com)

Yoga guru Ramdev and his aide Balkrishna were today heard in the Supreme Court on charges of contempt against Patanjali Ayurveda in connection with misleading advertising and claims of a cure for the coronavirus. ing. The court had given a harsh verdict to the Patanjali founders in its previous hearing last week. Also, the Uttarakhand government took no action against the Haridwar-based company. This morning, a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Amanullah summoned the founders of Patanjali and notified them of their significant contribution to yoga. "We respect what you have done for yoga," Bench said. The two said they were prepared to publicly apologize. Ramdev said he never intended to tarnish the image of the Supreme Court. The court noted their "attitude" and questioned why they would attack other medical systems to highlight the benefits of Ayurveda. "The law is the same for everyone," Judge Amanullah said. Ramdev replied that he would be careful from now on.

The court said it would consider this issue in the light of all previous developments. "We have not yet decided whether to forgive you or not. You have violated (the policy) three times," he said, adding that the next hearing will be held on April 23. Mr Ramdev and Mr Balkrishna have been asked to reappear in court and take steps to prove their intentions. Speaking to the media outside court, Ramdev said: ``I said what I needed to say. I have full confidence in the judiciary.'' ``Until this matter comes before the court, the judge will give us the oath.'' We have decided that it is not appropriate to send a statement. You clearly believe the people," Justice Hima Kohli said last week.

Justice A. Amanullah, who was also in the court, asked whether the apology was "sincere". "An apology is not enough. If you violate a court order, you will have to face the consequences," he said. The problem dates back to the coronavirus era, when Patanjali launched a treatment called Coronil in 2021, which Ramdev called "the first evidence-based treatment for COVID-19." The Indian Medical Association objected to the "blatant lie" that Coronil was certified by the WHO.