Following a petition stating that their herbal tooth powder, Divya Dant Manjan, includes non-vegetarian substances despite being labeled and advertised as vegetarian, the Delhi High Court on Friday issued notices to Baba Ramdev and Patanjali's Divya Pharmacy.
Advocate Yatin Sharma filed the suit, pointing out that while the product's ingredient list includes Sepia officinalis (common cuttlefish), the product's packaging features a green dot, which is normally indicative of a vegetarian product.
The matter is scheduled for trial on November 28.
In response to the petition, Justice Sanjeev Narula sent notices to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Patanjali, Divya Pharmacy, Yoga guru Ramdev, and other relevant parties.
The product "Divya Dant Manjan," which is made by Divya Pharmacy, is allegedly sold and shown extensively on the official Patanjali website. The product has a green dot on it, which is a characteristic symbol for its purportedly vegetarian nature. Because the medication is marketed as a plant-based, vegetarian Ayurvedic remedy, the petitioner and their family have been using it for a long time. However, they suddenly found out that it contains "Samudraphen (Sepia officinalis)," which is made from cuttlefish bone. The petitioner and their family, who are from a "Brahmin" background and find it totally against their religious beliefs and feelings to consume non-vegetarian components, have expressed significant sorrow at this revelation.
According to the petition, the respondents' failure in producing and promoting "Divya Dant Manjan," which is purportedly made with non-vegetarian components, calls for court action. It further claims that, despite the product being marketed as vegetarian and featuring a green dot, Baba Ramdev acknowledged in a YouTube video that the ingredient "Samudra fen" is animal-based.
In addition to highlighting the value of openness and respect for one's religious convictions, the petitioner asks for compensation for the suffering she inadvertently caused by consuming a vegetarian product.
"The gravity and effectiveness of the court's order are seriously questioned in this matter, highlighting the need for urgent judicial intervention. The persistent disregard for the court's directives calls for decisive action to ensure compliance and uphold the integrity of the legal system," the plea mentioned.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Priyanka Pandey/MSM)
