Baba Ramdev’s Sharbat Jihad Targets Rooh Afza? Repeats Old Pattern of Attacking Noodles, Jeans, Toothpaste Before Patanjali Launches, Fooling Crores of Hindus?
New Delhi | Updated April 11 2025
Yoga guru and Patanjali Ayurved founder Baba Ramdev is once again in the spotlight for sparking religious controversy and allegedly using strategic marketing to attack competitors. In a recent video promoting Patanjali’s rose sharbat, Ramdev used the term Sharbat Jihad, claiming that profits from certain sharbats are used to build mosques and madrasas. Although he didn’t name a brand directly, social media erupted, interpreting it as a dig at the popular Rooh Afza by Hamdard.
This is not a one-time incident. Baba Ramdev has a history of targeting rival products or industries just before launching similar products under the Patanjali brand. Critics say he often uses religion, nationalism, and health concerns to discredit others and promote his own agenda.
A Timeline of Baba Ramdev’s Product Targeting Strategy
2015 Instant Noodles vs Patanjali Noodles
In June 2015, during the Maggi controversy, Baba Ramdev called instant noodles harmful for health. Just a few months later, Patanjali Noodles were introduced as a safe and swadeshi alternative.
Toothpaste Industry vs Dant Kanti
Ramdev criticized conventional toothpaste brands for using misleading advertisements that featured actors in white coats. He claimed such ads confuse consumers. Soon after, Patanjali launched Dant Kanti, advertised as a natural and Ayurvedic solution for dental care.
Western Jeans vs Swadeshi Jeans
Ramdev often spoke out against Western clothing like jeans, saying it goes against Indian culture. But in 2016, Patanjali announced its own line of swadeshi jeans, claiming they would be culturally appropriate for Indian youth.
Cow Urine in Patanjali Products
Baba Ramdev is known for his belief in cow urine or gomutra as a powerful cure. Patanjali confirmed that it uses cow urine in at least five products, including Gowdhan Ark and Sanjivni Vati.
However, the Indian Medical Association IMA has stated clearly that there is no scientific evidence to support the health benefits of cow urine. In fact, they warn that it may be harmful.
Consumers Must Question These Marketing Tactics
There is no guarantee that cow urine is not being used in other Patanjali liquid products. Even though Baba Ramdev claims otherwise, who really knows the truth He is a strong believer in cow urine and may be using religious emotions to fool Hindu consumers.
It is important that consumers wake up and speak against those who sell products in the name of tradition and mislead people for profit. The pattern is clear Ramdev targets well-known products using religion and then launches Patanjali alternatives to capture public trust and market share.
Conclusion Time to Wake Up and Think
Millions of Indians trust Patanjali because they believe in Ayurveda and natural health products. But when religion is used for marketing, people need to ask questions. They must understand what they are buying and not be blindly influenced.
The Sharbat Jihad controversy, just like the past incidents, shows how Baba Ramdev may be using emotional and religious appeals to dominate the market. It is not just about health anymore it may be about control, business, and power.
Baba Ramdev’s Sharbat Jihad Targets Rooh Afza? Repeats Old Pattern of Attacking Noodles, Jeans, Toothpaste Before Patanjali Launches, Fooling Crores of Hindus?
