Patanjali threatens to file suit against ad regulator

NEW DELHI: Patanjali Ayurved, the FMCG venture promoted by yoga guru Ramdev, threatened to file a suit on Sunday against the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), which has issued 27 notices this year to the company for what it calls violation of advertising code of conduct.

“We would file a suit against ASCI. We would file the case in the court very soon. We are discussing the possibilities and would take action on this issue very soon,” Ramdev said here at a press conference while describing these notices as “love letters” from ASCI.

However, he left the venue when posed with questions on certification of his toothpaste range, under brand name Dant Kanti. Questioning the authority and jurisdiction of ASCI, Ramdev said it is a body “formed by MNCs and they are spreading wrong messages about advertisements by Patanjali”.

“It is an illegal organisation and I would write a letter to the government of India in this regard,” he said, adding that ASCI “is not a constitutional authority but a company only, which has advising powers to its members... They are sending love letters to us. This issue has even been raised in Parliament also.”

He said further that various high courts in their ordershave ruled that ASCI has no constitutional authority.

We would file a suit against Advertising Standards Council of India... We are discussing the possibilities and would take action on this issue very soon RAMDEV