Rooh Afza

Yoga guru Ramdev on Friday gave an undertaking in the Delhi High Court for neither issuing any disparaging statement nor publishing on social media, posts similar to his "sharbat jihad" remark against Hamdard's Rooh Afza. Justice Amit Bansal, who on May 1 ordered removal of the controversial online content, asked Ramdev's counsel to file an affidavit during the day. A similar undertaking was also tendered by Ramdev's Patanjali Foods Ltd. The court passed the order while dealing with a lawsuit by Hamdard National Foundation India against Ramdev and his Patanjali Foods Ltd over the controversial remarks. Hamdard claimed while promoting Patanjali's "gulab sharbat", Ramdev alleged the money earned from Hamdard's Rooh Afza was used to build madrasas and mosques. On April 22, the court sought an affidavit from Ramdev and Patanjali that they shall "not issue any statements, social media posts or disparaging videos/advertisements in future similar to those which are subject matter of the

Delhi High Court slams Ramdev for repeating Rooh Afza remarks, says he ignored court orders and may face contempt action

The Delhi High Court has restrained the manufacture and sale of sweet beverage concentrate 'Sharbat Dil Afza' during the pendency of a lawsuit for alleged trademark infringement by Hamdard Dawakhana which sells 'Rooh Afza'. A bench of justices Vibhu Bakhru and Amit Mahajan said that prima facie, 'Rooh Afza' served as the source identifier for Hamdard for over a century and has acquired immense goodwill and it was essential to ensure that the competitors keep a safe distance from the mark. The court's order came on an appeal by Hamdard (appellant) against a single judge's order refusing to pass an interim order to restrain 'Dil Afza' manufacture Sadar Laboratories (respondent) from allegedly indulging in trademark infringement. "It is not difficult to conceive that a person who looks at the label of 'DIL AFZA' may recall the label of 'ROOH AFZA' as the word 'AFZA' is common and the meaning of the words 'ROOH' and 'DIL', when translated in English, are commonly used in conjunction," .

The plaintiffs sought an interim order of injunction against the defendant

The drink brings about $45 million of profit a year in India alone, its manufacturer says, most of it going to a trust that funds schools, universities and clinics

Hamdard Laboratories dispelled rumours regarding the shortage of the drink during the crucial Ramzan month

Hamdard looks to refresh its century-old brand by extending it into new products, hopes to encash its retro legacy