The Delhi High Court has issued a stern warning to Patanjali Ayurved, co-founded by yoga guru Baba Ramdev, in its ongoing dispute with Dabur India over allegedly disparaging advertisements for Chyawanprash.
The case stems from Dabur’s petition last year, accusing Patanjali of running ads that portrayed Dabur’s Chyawanprash as “ordinary” compared to Patanjali’s version. Patanjali claimed its product contained 51 herbs, while rivals used only “40 herbs.” Dabur argued these comparisons were misleading, unscientific, and damaging to its long-standing reputation in the Ayurvedic health segment.
In July 2025, a single-judge bench partly sided with Dabur, ordering Patanjali to remove the phrase “Why settle for ordinary Chyawanprash made with 40 herbs?” from print campaigns and to edit its television commercials to avoid direct disparagement. The court clarified that Patanjali could continue advertising but must not demean competitors.
Patanjali appealed, but a division bench led by Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla expressed clear displeasure. They reminded Patanjali that the earlier ruling was limited in scope and fair in its reasoning. The bench cautioned that persisting with the appeal might attract cost penalties, effectively pressuring Ramdev’s firm to reconsider its stance.
The judges also observed that comparative advertising must be truthful and not cross the line into defamation. The warning signals the judiciary’s intent to curb misleading promotions in India’s competitive FMCG market, particularly in the Ayurvedic and wellness sector where claims often influence consumer trust.
The matter is now set for hearing on 23 September 2025. At that session, the court will decide whether Patanjali may continue with modified ads or face stricter curbs, including possible withdrawal of disputed campaigns altogether.
For the broader market, the case underscores the need for responsible advertising practices and highlights how brand rivalries, if unchecked, can spill into prolonged legal battles.
