Supreme Court Criticizes IMA President’s Apology, Orders Stay on Rule Change in Patanjali Ads Case
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India took strong action against R V Asokan, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), over a controversial apology he published in newspapers. The court, led by Justices Hima Kohli and Sandeep Mehta, criticized the apology for being almost impossible to read due to its tiny font size.
The issue at hand involves misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. In response to these ads, Asokan had issued an apology. However, the court found that the font used in the apology was so small it was not legible, and thus, ineffective.
Additionally, the Supreme Court put a hold on a recent decision by the Ministry of Ayush to remove Rule 170 from the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules of 1945. This rule prohibits misleading advertisements for Ayurveda, Siddha, or Unani drugs. The court’s decision means that Rule 170 will remain in place until further notice, and the Ministry has been instructed to review this issue and submit a response.
Justice Kohli pointed out that the apology was so small that it was almost unreadable. The court asked Asokan to submit physical copies of 20 editions of The Hindu newspaper where the apology was published, to verify its appearance.
The controversy began earlier this year when Asokan made statements in an interview with the news agency PTI, which the court deemed damaging. During a hearing in May, the court expressed its displeasure with Asokan’s comments and refused to accept his initial apology affidavit.
Asokan’s defense, led by senior advocate PS Patwalia, argued that the interview was only available online and was not published in the press. Patwalia stressed that Asokan, a responsible doctor, sincerely regretted his statements and the apology was a genuine effort to make amends.
This case has highlighted the ongoing scrutiny over misleading advertisements and the responsibilities of public figures in addressing such issues. The Supreme Court’s recent actions underscore its commitment to ensuring that public apologies are not only issued but also effectively communicated.