By: Alitoday
Rooh Afza, a 118-year-old Indian sharbat brand, is at the center of a heated controversy sparked by yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s provocative remarks.
Launched in 1907 by Hakeem Hafiz Abdul Majeed, Rooh Afza is a refreshing Unani herbal drink made by Hamdard Laboratories, beloved across India for its rose-flavored syrup.
In a viral video, Ramdev coined the term “Sharbat Jihad,” alleging that a company (implied to be Hamdard) uses sharbat profits to fund mosques and madrasas.
While slamming rival brands, Ramdev promoted Patanjali’s rose sharbat, claiming it supports gurukuls and Indian education institutions.
Shared by ‘Patanjali Products’ on Facebook, the video garnered over 37 million views, with a caption calling rival drinks “toilet cleaner” and urging consumers to avoid “Sharbat Jihad.”
Social media erupted, with users accusing Ramdev of communalizing consumer choices and using Islamophobia to market Patanjali’s products.
Hamdard, Rooh Afza’s maker, issued a subtle statement on X, reaffirming its commitment to quality without directly addressing Ramdev’s claims.
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh filed a police complaint against Ramdev, calling his remarks hate speech and unconstitutional for targeting Rooh Afza’s Muslim-owned brand.
Unverified claims of a 200% spike in Rooh Afza sales surfaced post-controversy, but no credible data from Hamdard or business outlets confirms this.
The controversy highlights growing concerns over religion-based marketing in India, with critics urging brands to compete on quality, not communal narratives.