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Portrait of Baba Ramdev

Photo: Sachinr ( talk ) · Public domain

Born in India — Religion / sects / ideologues

Baba Ramdev

Religion, sects and spiritual movements

Documented profile covering 12 controversies, including “2023–2024: Patanjali medical advertisements — contempt proceedings, apologies accepted and case closed” and “2023: Remarks on Islam and Christianity in Barmer, FIR and protection from arrest”.

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Profile No. 2228 · Updated on 13 October 2026

Portrait of Baba Ramdev

Photo: Sachinr ( talk ) · Public domain
12Documented controversies
22Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2023–2024

2023–2024: Patanjali medical advertisements — contempt proceedings, apologies accepted and case closed

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following an undertaking to the Supreme Court concerning certain medical claims, Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna were required to explain subsequent advertisements and statements. The Court strongly criticised their conduct and initial apologies.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    India TodaySupreme Court closes contempt case against Baba Ramdev, Patanjali over misleading adsMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    SCC TimesPatanjali misleading ads case: Supreme Court drops contempt charges against Baba Ramdev, Acharya BalkrishnaPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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02

2023

2023: Remarks on Islam and Christianity in Barmer, FIR and protection from arrest

No legal proceedings

Remarks made by Ramdev in Rajasthan concerning Muslims and Christians led to an FIR alleging injury to religious sentiments and other offences. The Rajasthan High Court subsequently extended protection against his arrest while requiring his cooperation.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Bar & BenchAnti-Muslim remarks: Rajasthan High Court extends stay on arrest of Baba RamdevPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Times of IndiaHC stays Ramdev's arrest for hate speech in BarmerMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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03

2022-11

2022: Remark about women looking attractive 'even without clothes', notice and subsequent apology

No legal proceedings

At an event, Ramdev stated that women looked attractive in saris, in salwar outfits and 'even if they wear nothing', provoking a strong reaction and a request for an explanation from the Maharashtra women's commission.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressRamdev apologises for remarks on women after notice sent by Maharashtra panelMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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04

2021-02

2021: Coronil 'WHO certification' claims denied by WHO and subsequently clarified

Civil / administrative proceedings

Promotional communications implied that WHO-related certification validated Coronil. WHO stated that it had neither reviewed nor certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine against Covid-19.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    NDTVPatanjali clarifies on Coronil certification after WHO says it did not review traditional medicine for CovidMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Indian ExpressCoronil gets Ayush ministry certification under WHO scheme, not WHO approvalMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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05

2021-05

2021: Remarks calling allopathy a 'stupid science', subsequently withdrawn

No legal proceedings

A video showed Ramdev describing allopathy as a 'stupid' science and linking numerous Covid-19 deaths to modern treatments. The IMA called for action and the Health Minister urged him to withdraw his remarks.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    India TodayIMA demands action against Ramdev over allopathy stupid remarksMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Indian ExpressRamdev withdraws remarks on allopathy after Harsh Vardhan's letterMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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06

2020-06

2020: Coronil presented as a Covid-19 treatment; AYUSH Ministry intervenes

Civil / administrative proceedings

Ramdev launched Coronil, presenting it as an Ayurvedic treatment for Covid-19. The AYUSH Ministry requested the data, composition and authorisations, and asked for unverified promotional claims to be suspended pending review.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Economic TimesBaba Ramdev launches Ayurvedic coronavirus treatment; Ministry of AYUSH says all claims need to be verifiedMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Indian ExpressCoronil: Patanjali, Baba Ramdev and the claims around a Covid-19 cureMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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07

2016–2017

2016–2017: Remarks about beheading those refusing to say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'

Allegations

Ramdev stated that, without the constraints of the law and Constitution, it would be possible to behead those refusing to say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. Complaints and legal proceedings followed, and a warrant for failure to appear was subsequently reported.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    NDTVOff With Their Heads: Ramdev Adds To Bharat Mata Row But Says Bound By LawMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    NDTVWhat Did I Say Wrong? Yoga Guru Ramdev Defends Beheading RemarksMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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08

2017

2017: Sale of Patanjali Amla Juice suspended by CSD after adverse test result

Civil / administrative proceedings

The Canteen Stores Department suspended sales of a batch of Patanjali Amla Juice after a government laboratory found it unfit under the standard applied.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Business StandardDefence's CSD suspends sale of Baba Ramdev's Patanjali amla juiceMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Indian ExpressPatanjali's FY17 turnover up 111% to Rs 10,561 croreMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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09

2015-11

2015: Patanjali Atta Noodles launched amid dispute over FSSAI approval

No legal proceedings

The FSSAI stated that Patanjali instant noodles, launched with Ramdev as their public promoter, had not obtained the required approval, triggering a dispute over the launch's regulatory compliance.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Financial ExpressBaba Ramdev's Patanjali Atta Noodles have no FSSAI approvalMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    India TodayPatanjali Atta Noodles controversy: Have taken permission from FSSAI, says RamdevMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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10

2014

2014: Remark about Rahul Gandhi's visits to Dalit households, complaints and apology

Allegations

Ramdev stated that Rahul Gandhi visited Dalit homes for 'honeymoon and picnic', prompting allegations of insulting remarks and several legal complaints.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressRahul can't marry, visits Dalit homes for honeymoon: RamdevMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    India TodayJodhpur court orders FIR against Baba Ramdev over his honeymoon remarkMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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11

2011–2012

2011–2012: Ramlila Maidan — excessive police force but contributory negligence attributed to organisers

Civil / administrative proceedings

Delhi police dispersed Baba Ramdev's anti-corruption gathering at night. The Supreme Court criticised the use of force while finding that Ramdev and the trust bore contributory responsibility for failing to comply with certain instructions, requiring them to bear part of the compensation.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Supreme Court of India via Indian KanoonIn Re: Ramlila Maidan Incident Dt. 4/5.06.2011 vs Home Secretary, Union Of IndiaCourt decisionVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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12

2005–2006

2005–2006: Divya Pharmacy — labour dispute, labelling and allegations of human or animal ingredients

No legal proceedings

A dispute involving Divya Pharmacy employees led to allegations concerning employment law, labelling and the alleged presence of animal or human materials in certain remedies.

State of the evidence
Allegations

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    India TodaySwami Ramdev accused of mixing human bones in his Ayurvedic medicinesMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Hindustan TimesRamdev for probe against KaratMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)
  1. Kangana Ranaut1 documented reference
  2. Rahul Gandhi1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

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