Today, during the hearing of the Indian Medical Association's case against Patanjali Ayurved for alleged misleading advertisements, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah remarked that there should be comradery between Allopathy and Ayurved.

Justice Amanullah's remarks came after the Bench also comprising Justice Hima Kohli reserved order on the contempt notices issued to Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna and the company Patanjali Ayurved. The Court had also dispensed with their personal appearance in Court.

Justice Amanullah addressed Senior Advocate PS Patwalia appearing for the IMA and Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, "Mr. Patwalia and Mr. Rohatgi, on a lighter vein, there should be comradery between the two of you. Because, if I am not mistaken, probably your (Rohatgi's) client had to go to AIIMS when there was a heart attack a few years back".

Although even the Counsel appearing for Patanjali laughed along with the Judges on this remark, Solicitor General Tushar Metha appearing for the Centre did not look pleased with the Judge's remark.

"Many Allopathic doctors also take Ayurvedic medicine, Ayurveda is a recognised branch of medicine", Tushar Mehta submitted.

"Allopathy, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha and Unani, these are all recognised. Many Allopathic doctors resort to Ayurvedic treatment", the Solicitor General added.

Justice Amanullah agreed and said, "Exactly, that was the practice. It is a symbiotic relationship. That is why there should be synergy between both". Justice Kohli also agreed with what the SG said.

Mukul Rohatgi then said, "Actually, there should be synthesis my lord. Because their drugs generally are very very strong, they have impact over a long time. If some of their drugs are incorporated... this part also.."

"He is right, I know doctors who for their minor ailments take either Homoeopathy or...", Justice Amanullah said.

Justice Kohli then said, "We think that the public is very cognizant. It is not as if they don't know. They make their balanced choices".

Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah then remarked about Baba Ramdev and his contributions and said that he should be more careful. (read report)

It is not clear who Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah was referring to when he spoke about heart attack. In the year 2016, Baba Ramdev himself had to dispel rumours on social media about him suffering a heart attack. "Saw irresponsible statements on social media that I suffered heart attack. I never even had fever in decades. I 'll live long by virtue of Yog", Ramdev had clarified on social media on December 23, 2016.

In August, 2019 Aacharya Balkrishna was admitted to AIIMS in Rishikesh. Though there were initial reports that he had suffered from a heart attack, it was later clarified that it was a case of food poisoning, leading to his fainting.


Cause Title: Indian Medical Association v. Union Of India [W.P.(C) No. 645/2022]