Ramdev: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Indian yoga teacher and businessman}}

{{about|the yoga teacher and cofounder of [[Patanjali Ayurved]]|the Hindu deity|Ramdev Pir}}

| image              = Swami Ramdev in 2016.jpg

| caption            = Ramdev {{circa|2016}}

| birth_name        = Ramkishan Yadav{{Efn|The first name has been spelled Ram Kisan,<ref name="byogi"/> Ramkishen,<ref>{{cite news |title=As good as a Ramdev stretch |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/as-good-as-a-ramdev-stretch/cid/1511089 |access-date=26 May 2020 |work=www.telegraphindia.com |date=April 14, 2015 |language=en}}</ref> or Ramkrishna<ref name="Thomas_Lee">{{cite book |editor1-last=Thomas |editor1-first=Pradip Ninan |editor2-last=Lee |editor2-first=Philip |title=Global and Local Televangelism |date=July 30, 2012 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1-137-26481-7 |page=150 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=edg0TY0wF0cC&pg=PA150 |access-date=26 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> by various outlets.|group=note|name=name}}

| birth_date        = between 1965—1975<ref name="epicstory_2017"/><ref name="Oxford_2014"/>

| occupation        = Yoga teacher, businessman

'''Ramdev''' (born '''Ram Kisan Yadav'''{{efn|The first name has been spelled Ram Kisan,<ref name="byogi"/> Ramkishen,<ref>{{Cite web|title=As good as a Ramdev stretch|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/as-good-as-a-ramdev-stretch/cid/1511089|access-date=2021-11-07|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> or Ramkrishna<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Thomas|first1=P.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=edg0TY0wF0cC&pg=PA150|title=Global and Local Televangelism|last2=Lee|first2=P.|date=2012-07-30|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-137-26481-7|language=en}}</ref> by various outlets.}} between 1965 and 1975), also referred to by his followers with the honorifics '''Baba'''{{efn|[[Baba (honorific)|Baba]], {{lit|father}}, is a respectful form of address for an older or holy man in India.<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/baba |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922085238/https://www.lexico.com/definition/baba |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 September 2020 |title=baba |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref>}} or '''Swami''',{{efn|[[Swami]] is a title used in India for a [[Hindu]] religious teacher.<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/swami |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029082849/https://www.lexico.com/definition/swami |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 October 2020 |title=swami |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref>}} is an Indian [[Modern yoga gurus|yoga guru]],<ref name="Narain 2017">{{Cite news |last=Narain |first=Priyanka Pathak |date=31 July 2017 |title=How Baba Ramdev became the Guru of Yoga Programming on Indian TV |work=Firstpost |url=http://www.firstpost.com/living/how-baba-ramdev-became-the-guru-of-yoga-programming-on-indian-tv-3877317.html|access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> businessman<ref>{{Cite web|title=HT Editorial: Not Ayurveda vs allopathy|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/not-ayurveda-vs-allopathy-101621927390316.html|access-date=2021-05-31|website=Hindustan Times|date=25 May 2021|language=en}}</ref><ref name="byogi">{{cite news |author=Robert F. Worth |date=26 July 2018 |title=The Billionaire Yogi Behind Modi's Rise |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/26/magazine/the-billionaire-yogi-behind-modis-rise.html |accessdate=11 June 2021}}</ref> and [[brand ambassador]] for [[Patanjali Ayurved]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Patanjali-to-start-working-with-celebrities-as-brand-ambassadors-for-first-time |url=https://in.fashionnetwork.com/news/Patanjali-to-start-working-with-celebrities-as-brand-ambassadors-for-first-time,1320759.html#:~:text=To%20date%2C%20Baba%20Ramdev%20has,and%20even%20on%20certain%20packaging.}}</ref> Ramdev is primarily known for being a proponent of [[yoga]] and [[ayurveda]] in India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Baba Ramdev: Who is he?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/baba-ramdev-who-is-he-113232-2012-08-14|date=14 August 2012|publisher=IndiaToday.in}}</ref><ref name="byogi"/> Ramdev has been organizing and conducting large yoga camps since 2002, broadcasting his yoga classes on various TV channels.<ref name="byogi" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Limaye |first=Yogita |date=21 December 2015 |title=The yoga guru turned company boss |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-35097567}}</ref> He co-founded Patanjali Ayurved and [[Patanjali Yogpeeth]] with his colleague [[Balkrishna]] in 2006.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Telles |first1=Shirley |last2=Yadav |first2=Arti |last3=Bhardwaj |first3=Abhishek Kumar |last4=Sharma |first4=Sachin Kumar |last5=Singh |first5=Nilkamal |date=2013 |title=Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar: An Ayurveda center which includes treatment, research, and education |journal=Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=120–122 |doi=10.4103/0975-9476.113885 |pmc=3737445 |pmid=23930046}}</ref> Ramdev has received criticism over his comments related to modern medicine, yoga, and ayurveda.<ref name=":25" /><ref name=":26" />

Ramdev is aligned with the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) on a number of issues.<ref name="byogi" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last1=Bhatia |first1=Rahul |last2=Lasseter |first2=Tom |date=May 23, 2017 |title=Modi's Yogi |language=en |work=Reuters |editor-last=McBride |editor-first=Janet |editor-last2=Hirschberg |editor-first2=Peter |url=http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/india-modi-ramdev/ |access-date=2022-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-24 |title=Politics and religion: As BJP government rises, so does yoga tycoon Baba Ramdev |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/politics-and-religion-as-bjp-government-rises-so-does-yoga-tycoon-baba-ramdev/story-v5k2qSB8CA83kD2IGh4yHP.html |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=Hindustan Times |publisher=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> He has led protests against corruption in India and has advocated for the repatriation of black money held in foreign banks.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":14" /> In April 2022, Ramdev was ranked the 78th most powerful Indian by The Indian Express.<ref name=":27" />

Ramdev, originally named Ramkishan Yadav, was born between 1965 and 1975<ref name="epicstory_2017">{{Cite news |last=Pathak-Narain |first=Priyanka |date=2017-07-28 |title=The yogi and his epic story |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/the-yogi-and-his-epic-story/article19377742.ece |access-date=2022-05-31 }}</ref><ref name="Oxford_2014" /> in Alipur <ref name="wire" /> in [[Haryana]].<ref name="Oxford_2014" />  He was born to Ram Niwas and Gulabo Devi,<ref name="Oxford_2014" /> who were poor illiterate farmers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foy |first=Henry |date=2011-06-02 |title=Factbox - Swami Ramdev, India's most popular yoga guru |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-57452920110602 |access-date=2022-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Garia |first=Nikita |date=2011-06-01 |title=The Rise of Baba Ramdev |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-IRTB-11608 |access-date=2022-05-30 }}</ref> He has an older brother,<ref name="epicstory_2017" /> a younger brother,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Vijayaraghavan |first1=Kala |last2=Malviya |first2=Sagar |date=May 6, 2016 |title=Ram Bharat: Meet Baba Ramdev's low-profile younger brother who handles Patanjali's day-to-day operations |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fmcg/ram-bharat-meet-baba-ramdevs-low-profile-younger-brother-who-handles-patanjalis-day-to-day-operations/articleshow/52137413.cms |access-date=2022-05-30}}</ref> and a younger sister.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Dubey |first=Jyotindra |date=2020-09-17 |title=Ramdev's low-key brother emerges from the shadows with Ruchi Soya |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/bs-reads-ramdev-s-low-key-brother-emerges-from-the-shadows-with-ruchi-soya-120091700292_1.html |access-date=2022-05-31}}</ref> Since childhood, the left side of his face has been partly paralysed perhaps owing to a congenital disability or a childhood illness.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |author1=Varghese K George |author2=Charu Sudan Kasturi |date=12 June 2011 |title=Making of brand Baba |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/making-of-brand-baba/story-C8fWFh0bKDIhmtRcgsoIfI.html |accessdate=11 June 2021 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>

Yadav initially attended a government school at [[Shahzadpur, Haryana|Shahzadpur]]<ref name="Sehgal_2015">{{Cite web |last=Sehgal |first=Manjeet |date=June 22, 2015 |title=Haryana school that made Baba Ramdev a yoga guru |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/yoga-guru-baba-ramdev-arsh-gurukul-mahavidyalaya-258848-2015-06-22 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> till the eighth standard.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ummed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mgEvEAAAQBAJ |title=Boon of Yoga: Benefits of Indian Yoga Exercise |date=2021-05-14 |publisher=BookRix |isbn=978-3-7487-8263-6 |language=en}}</ref> The government school consisted of an english medium curriculum introduced by Babington [[Macaulayism|Macaulay]].<ref name="gurukul_2017">{{Cite news |date=April 30, 2017 |title=When Baba Ramdev quit school, fled home and joined gurukul |work=The Economic Times |agency=Press Trust India |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/when-baba-ramdev-quit-school-fled-home-and-joined-gurukul/articleshow/58442972.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-05-30}}</ref> At a young age, Yadav was drawn to the writings by [[Dayananda Saraswati|Dayanand Saraswati]], specifically [[Satyarth Prakash]] which led him to leave his government school to pursue a gurukula<ref name="gurukul_2017" /> At around nine years old, he pursued study in [[Khanpur Khurd|Khanpur]] at a [[gurukula]] system.<ref name="gurukul_2017" /> Yadav attended Arsh Gurukul Mahavidyalaya between 1984 until 1989.<ref name="Sehgal_2015" /> At fourteen, he moved to Kalwa to attend a gurukula and studied under one of his principal gurus, Acharya Baldevji.<ref name="Oxford_2014" /> This is where he met [[Balkrishna]] as a fellow student.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Deo |first=Sandeep |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zL5ADwAAQBAJ |title=Yoga Guru to Swadeshi Warrior: The True Story of Baba Ramdev |date=2017-12-18 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-93-86643-26-1 |language=en}}</ref> In Kalwa, he studied the Sanskrit language and literature, Hindu philosophical and religious texts, and traditions of yoga and asceticism.<ref name="Oxford_2014" /> While living in Kalwa, he offered free yoga training to villagers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deshvidesh.com/issues/desh1509/Swami_Ramdev_Baba.html |title=Baba Ramdev Offered Free Yoga Training in Kalva gurukul |website=deshvidesh.com |date=1 September 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703042257/http://www.deshvidesh.com/issues/desh1509/Swami_Ramdev_Baba.html|archivedate=3 July 2013}}</ref>  

After completing his studies in 1992, Yadav traveled to Haridwar to stay at the Kripalu Bagh Ashram under the guidance of Shankardevi Maharaj.<ref name="Oxford_2014">{{Cite book |last=Sarbacker |first=Stuart Ray |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-cyOAQAAQBAJ |title=Gurus of Modern Yoga |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press USA |isbn=978-0-19-993872-8 |editor-last=Singleton |editor-first=Mark |language=en |chapter=Swami Ramdev: Modern Yoga Revolutionary |editor-last2=Goldberg |editor-first2=Ellen}}</ref> At Kripalu Bagh Ashram, he learned yoga from Acharya Karamveer,<ref name="Oxford_2014" /> also an Arya Samaj.<ref name="wire" /> Yadav took vows of renunciation, adopted ''[[sannyasa]],'' and took the name Ramdev''.''<ref name="ndtv">{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/who-is-baba-ramdev-109946 |date=15 November 2011 |title=Who is Baba Ramdev? |publisher=NDTV |access-date=9 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419113020/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/who-is-baba-ramdev-109946 |archive-date=19 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Oxford_2014" /> Ramdev and Karamveer held yoga camps throughout India and sold [[chawanprash]] in [[Haridwar]] together.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Pathak-Narain |first=Priyanka |date=July 30, 2017 |title='Tragedy follows him everywhere:' What I discovered while writing my book about Ramdev |url=https://scroll.in/article/845274/tragedy-follows-him-everywhere-what-i-discovered-while-writing-my-book-about-ramdev |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=[[Scroll.in]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 5 January 1995,<ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last=Gandhi |first=A. K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=POsFEAAAQBAJ |title=The Rise and Rise of Baba Ramdev and Patanjali |date=2021-01-01 |publisher=[[Prabhat Prakashan]] |language=en}}</ref> Balkrishna, Ramdev, and Acharya Karamveer founded Divya Yoga Mandir Trust, which was set up at the Kripalu Bagh Ashram in [[Haridwar]].<ref name="Oxford_2014" /><ref name=":22" /><ref name="billion">{{cite book |last1=Verma |first1=Sunanda |title=Namaste, Baba Ramdev! He made billions think & act on health |date=1 April 2018 |publisher=The Indologist Pte Ltd |location=Singapore |isbn=978-9814782203 }}</ref> Under the Divya Yoga Mandir Trust, they offered yoga camps and established an Ayurvedic pharmacy.<ref name=":6" />  

== Patanjali ==

[[File:Swami Ramdev giving verbal instructions to the students at the Yoga and Pranayam Shivir organised by the All India Vaishya Federation and inaugurated by the Vice President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, in New Delhi on October 07.jpg|thumb|Ramdev giving yoga instructions in 2004]]

{{Main|Patanjali Ayurved}}

 

[[Patanjali Ayurved]] is a [[Fast-moving consumer goods|consumer packaged goods]] company, based in Haridwar, that was started by Ramdev and [[Balkrishna]] in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghabahree/2016/10/26/indias-baba-ramdev-billionaire-is-not-baba-ramdev/|title=India's Baba Ramdev Billionaire Is Not Baba Ramdev|last=Bahree|first=Megha|date=26 October 2016|newspaper=Forbes|access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> The company is one of the highest grossing [[FMCG]]'s in India.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2017 |title=How a Yoga Guru Is Mastering the Consumer Goods Market in India |url=https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/yoga-guru-mastering-consumer-goods-market-india/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=Knowledge at Wharton |publisher=[[Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In FY22, Patanjali Ayurved posted revenues of Rs 10,664.46 crore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patanjali to list 4 firms in next 5 years |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2022/sep/17/patanjali-to-list-4-firms-in-next-5-years-2499020.html |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Balkrishna serves as the CEO of Patanjali Ayurved with 96% ownership and supervises its day-to-day activities, while Ramdev serves as the face of the company and makes most of the business decisions.<ref name=":16" /><ref>{{citation |title=Baba Ramdev's Patanjali starts to take a toll on some FMCG firms |url=http://economictimes.com/industry/cons-products/fmcg/baba-ramdevs-patanjali-starts-to-take-a-toll-on-some-fmcg-firms/articleshow/51183398.cms |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=29 February 2016 |last1=Vyas |first1=Jwalit }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=4 May 2017|title=Baba Ramdev is just the face, it's Acharya Balakrishna who is behind Patanjali's Rs 10,561 cr turnover|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/baba-ramdev-acharya-balakrishna-patanjali-ayurveda-turnover/story/251462.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003165215/https://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/baba-ramdev-acharya-balakrishna-patanjali-ayurveda-turnover/story/251462.html|archive-date=3 October 2020|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Business Today}}</ref>

 

Ramdev has advocated for [[Indian nationalism]] in the tradition of the [[swadeshi movement]] through the production and sale of Patanjali Ayurved products and he has encouraged Indian citizens to reject multinational brands.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bapuji |first1=Hari |last2=White |first2=Rod E. |last3=Sanwald |first3=Marissa |date=April 24, 2018 |title=Competing with Patanjali: Can You Bend Like the Baba? |url=https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/W18252-PDF-ENG |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Harvard Business Publishing Education}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Sunny |date=2016-08-16 |title=For Ramdev, Swadeshi lies at the heart of Patanjali's future growth |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/for-ramdev-swadeshi-lies-at-the-heart-of-patanjali-s-future-growth/story-zb3Pzsd6Fqk009rv00daLM.html |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":16" /><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Iyengar |first1=Venkatesan |title=Swadeshi Strategy: Insights from Baba Ramdev's Life Story |journal=IUP Journal of Business Strategy |location=Hyderabad |volume=17 |issue=1 |date=March 2020 |pages=59–68 |ssrn=3798190 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tripathy |first=Jyotirmaya |date=September 2019 |title=Consuming Indigeneity: Baba Ramdev, Patanjali Ayurveda and the Swadeshi Project of Development |journal=Journal of Developing Societies |language=en |volume=35 |issue=3 |pages=412–430 |doi=10.1177/0169796X19873213 |s2cid=203443199 }}</ref>

 

Members of Ramdev's family relocated to Haridwar and several have participated in his business ventures.<ref name=":3" /> His father has overseen some activities at Patanjali Ayurved.<ref name="wire">{{cite news |last1=Ahmad |first1=Omair |title=Interview: The Many, Many Things We Don't Know About Baba Ramdev |url=https://thewire.in/books/interview-baba-ramdev-patanjali |access-date=8 November 2018 |work=The Wire |date=3 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kapur |first1=Manavi |last2=Pinto |first2=Viveat Susan |date=2015-10-31 |title=Patanjali and the tycoon in saffron |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/patanjali-and-the-tycoon-in-saffron-115103001592_1.html |access-date=2022-05-30}}</ref> His younger brother Ram Bharat has been described as the company's de facto CEO.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />

Ramdev declared net worth of his personal assets at around "₹1,100 crore" in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Prashant|first=Shishir|date=20 January 2013|title=Net worth of Ramdev's assets Rs 1,100 cr|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/net-worth-of-ramdev-s-assets-rs-1-100-cr-111061000054_1.html,|access-date=2021-06-08}}</ref>

The company has been accused of creating misleading advertisements about its products and conducting insufficient testing before launching products in the marketplace.<ref name=":RTI inquiry">{{Cite web |last1=Nawaz |first1=M. S. |last2=Trivedi |first2=Anupam |date=2017-05-29 |title=Ramdev's Patanjali products fail quality test, RTI inquiry finds |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/baba-ramdev-s-patanjali-products-fail-uttarakhand-quality-test/story-bXo4XySEajw7ZDby4GISML.html |access-date=2020-10-07 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Some products like [[Phyllanthus emblica|amla]] juice have been banned from sales due to poor quality by Indian government.<ref>{{Cite news |others=PTI |date=2017-04-26 |title=Armed forces stores to suspend sale of Patanjali's amla juice |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/armed-forces-stores-suspend-sale-of-patanjalis-amla-juice/article18204512.ece }}</ref><ref name=":RTI inquiry" /> Patanjali has also been surrounded by controversies regarding working conditions where Ramdev and Balkrishna are treated like gurus whose feet must be touched each time they enter an area.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news |title=Baba Ramdev: Inside Patanjali: Here's what life is like in Baba Ramdev's company |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fmcg/inside-patanjali-heres-what-life-is-like-in-baba-ramdevs-company/articleshow/59824892.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-10-10}}</ref> Factory workers are paid a salary of Rs 6000 per month while working 12-hour shifts, six days a week.<ref name=":17" /> They are also discouraged to ask for a raise as working at factory is considered "seva" (voluntary service) to the cause.<ref name=":17" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Pathak-Narain|first=Priyanka|date=2017-08-04|title=Patanjali believes its staff does 'seva': Ex-CEO S.K. Patra|url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/WuAWfDBchBSJcR6ERuvI8M/Patanjali-Ayurved-believes-its-staff-does-seva-ExCEO-SK.html|access-date=2021-05-10|website=mint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Baba Ramdev wants employees to work for free: A former CEO reveals the Patanjali story |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2017/aug/04/baba-ramdev-wants-employees-to-work-for-free-a-former-ceo-reveals-the-patanjali-story-1638376.html |work=The New Indian Express (newspaper) |date=4 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418135632/https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2017/aug/04/baba-ramdev-wants-employees-to-work-for-free-a-former-ceo-reveals-the-patanjali-story-1638376.html |archive-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>

In May 2018, Ramdev launched Swadeshi Samriddhi [[SIM cards]] in partnership with [[BSNL]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 May 2018 |title=Baba Ramdev's Patanjali ties up with BSNL, launches Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM cards |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/baba-ramdevs-patanjali-ties-up-with-bsnl-launches-sim-cards/articleshow/64355565.cms |access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref>

=== Patanjali Yogpeeth ===

Patanjali Yogpeeth is an institute founded for the promotion and practice of Yoga and Ayurveda. It has two Indian campuses, Patanjali Yogpeeth I and Patanjali Yogpeeth II in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Other locations include UK, US, [[Nepal]], Canada and [[Mauritius]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wikimapia.org/21027526/Patanjali-Yogpeeth |title=Patanjali Yogpeeth-I & Patanjali Yogpeeth-II |website=wikimapia.org }}</ref>  Ramdev is the Vice-Chancellor of the Patanjali Yogpeeth.<ref>{{cite news |title=Soft drinks taking last breath: Ramdev |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070407/delhi.htm |access-date=21 December 2020 |work=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Delhi and neighbourhood |quote=Swami Ramdev is the Vice-Chancellor of the Patanjali Yogapeeth}}</ref>  In 2006, Ramdev established a registered charity in the UK known as the Patanjali Yog Peeth (UK) Trust, which had the stated objective of supporting Patanjali Yogpeeth (India) through the promotion of Ayurveda and pranayama yoga in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PATANJALI YOG PEETH (UK) TRUST - Charity 1115370 |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4024000/accounts-and-annual-returns |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> To extend Patanjali Yogpeeth, he also acquired the Scottish island of [[Little Cumbrae]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bhandari |first=Bhupesh |date=March 23, 2010 |title=Meet Baba Ramdev, the swami who owns a Scottish Island |url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3736396&page=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326122939/http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3736396&page=4 |archive-date=26 March 2010 |access-date=16 October 2011 |website=MSN |publisher=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=28 September 2009 |title=Baba Ramdev buys Scottish island |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Baba-Ramdev-buys-Scottish-island/Article1-458920.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016064306/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Baba-Ramdev-buys-Scottish-island/Article1-458920.aspx |archive-date=16 October 2010 |access-date=16 October 2011 |website=Hindustan Times |agency=[[Press Trust of India]]}}</ref> In 2012, Ramdev established the Divya Yog Pharmacy in Haridwar.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bureau |first1=Regional |date=7 April 2006 |title=Baba Ramdev yoga centre in Haridwar |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/baba-ramdev-yoga-centre-in-haridwar-106040701122_1.html |access-date=21 December 2020}}</ref>

In March 2018, 92 scholars of various different castes and backgrounds were initiated by Ramdev as sanyasis, or renunciants, at the Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |date=2018-03-25 |title=Ramdev gives 'diksha' for sanyas to first batch of 92 disciples |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ramdev-gives-diksha-for-sanyas-to-first-batch-of-92-disciples/ |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, Ramdev announced that sanyasis will serve as trustees of the Patanjali Yogpeeth and Divya Yoga Mandir.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |last3= |first3= |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Only sanyasis would be eligible to become trustees of Divya Yoga Mandir & Patanjali Yogpeeth: Ramdev {{!}} Dehradun News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/only-sanyasis-would-be-eligible-to-become-trustees-of-divya-yoga-mandir-patanjali-yogpeeth-ramdev/articleshow/91925905.cms |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> The sanyasis initiated by Ramdev studied Hindu scriptures for at least seven years at Patanjali Yogpeeth and a number of them have advanced degrees from universities.<ref name=":15" />

 

== Social and political activities ==

[[File:Narendra Modi attending the Yog Mahotsav at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|Ramdev at the Yog Mahotsav with [[Narendra Modi]] in Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, 2014]]

 

===Bharat Swabhiman===

In 2010, Ramdev announced plans to form a political party.<ref name="byogi" /> In 2011, he stated that he did not have political ambitions, and instead of forming a political party, would focus on fighting against nationwide corruption.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-21/hubli/29458465_1_baba-ramdev-yoga-guru-yoga-camp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104155816/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-21/hubli/29458465_1_baba-ramdev-yoga-guru-yoga-camp | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 January 2012 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Baba Ramdev won't launch political party |date=21 April 2011}}</ref> In 2014, Ramdev announced that Bharat Swabhiman would contest some constituencies in the [[2014 Indian general election|general election of that year]] and form alliances with some other parties.<ref name=":18" /> It was at this time that he voiced his support for [[Narendra Modi]] to become the next [[Prime Minister of India]], and signed nine pledges with BJP leaders on institutional and cultural reforms.<ref name="byogi" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":18">{{cite web |title=Ramdev's Bharat Swabhiman to Contest Lok Sabha Polls in State, Looking for Allies |date=27 January 2014 |work=The New Indian Express |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Ramdevs-Bharat-Swabhiman-to-Contest-Lok-Sabha-Polls-in-State-Looking-for-Allies/2014/01/27/article2021900.ece |access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> The Gujarat High Court allowed the Trust to hold yoga camps in 2014 as long as the camps were not political in nature.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-25 |title=HC allows Ramdev's camp but warns against political canvassing |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/hc-allows-ramdevs-camp-but-warns-against-political-canvassing/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In 2014, the Bharat Swabhiman Trust, Divya Yog Mandir Trust, and Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust were under scrutiny by the [[Election Commission of India|ECI]] for allegedly funding election expenses for political parties.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Hindu |title=Bank accounts of Baba Ramdev trusts under EC scrutiny |agency=Press Trust of India |date=24 April 2014 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bank-accounts-of-baba-ramdev-trusts-under-ec-scrutiny/article5944006.ece |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref>

In April 2011, Ramdev called on the government to add punitive powers to the [[Jan Lokpal Bill]], a bill to appoint an independent body to investigate alleged government [[Corruption in India|corruption]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article378994.ece |title=Baba Ramdev seeks sufficient powers for Lokpal |website=The New Indian Express |date=14 April 2011 |access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref> Relatedly, Ramdev announced he would go on an ''[[Anshan (hunger strike)|anshan]]'' hunger strike at [[Ramlila Maidan|Ramlila Ground]] in Delhi, on 4 June 2011, to pressure the government to root out corruption and repatriate [[Black money in India|black money]].<ref name=":13">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/14/stories/2011041453631100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109235942/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/14/stories/2011041453631100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 November 2012|title=Ramdev to launch people's movement to root out corruption|date=14 April 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> A week before the scheduled fast, the government set up a committee, headed by the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, to suggest steps to curb black money and its transfer abroad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/Before-Ramdev-black-money-fast-panel-set-up/Article1-703190.aspx |title=Before Ramdev black money fast, panel set up |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831031853/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/Before-Ramdev-black-money-fast-panel-set-up/Article1-703190.aspx |archive-date=31 August 2011 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=29 May 2011|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref> Talks continued between the two sides and, on 3 June, both sides claimed that a consensus had been reached on most issues. However, in the evening, Ramdev announced that he would still carry on with his hunger strike.<ref name="Ramdev fast: Chronology of events">{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ramdev-fast-Chronology-of-events/articleshow/8732729.cms?referral=PM|title=Ramdev fast: Chronology of events|date=5 June 2011|website=The Times of India|access-date=15 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Smita |date=2011-06-03 |title=Talks fail again; Ramdev to start fast on Saturday |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/talks-fail-again-ramdev-to-start-fast-on-saturday/article2073574.ece |access-date=2022-10-20 }}</ref>

During the first day of the strike, government minister Kapil Sibal publicized a letter from Ramdev's camp stating that the hunger strike would end if the government honoured its commitments.<ref name=":19">{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Smita |date=2011-06-04 |title=Baba Ramdev caught on the wrong foot |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/baba-ramdev-caught-on-the-wrong-foot/article2077392.ece |access-date=2022-10-20 }}</ref> Ramdev took it as a betrayal by the government and hardened his position.<ref name=":19" />

Shortly before midnight on the first day, a Delhi police spokesman announced that permission for the gathering had been revoked because permission was only granted for a 5,000 person yoga camp, and not for a protest of 50,000 people.<ref name="tripathy">{{cite news|last1=Tripathy|first1=Devidutta|title=Police break up Baba Ramdev's anti-graft fast|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-57502420110605|work=Reuters|access-date=15 February 2017|date=5 June 2011}}</ref> At midnight, over 5,000 police officers disrupted the protest and used [[Tear gas]] shells and a [[lathicharge]] to drive away protesters.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |first2= |last3= |last4= |first4= |date=June 5, 2011 |title=Midnight police swoop on Baba Ramdev ends protest |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/midnight-police-swoop-on-baba-ramdev-ends-protest/articleshow/8730121.cms |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=Rama |date=2011-06-05 |title=India cracks down on hunger strike led by yoga guru Baba Ramdev |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/india-cracks-down-on-protest-led-by-yoga-guru-baba-ramdev/2011/06/05/AGS3kHJH_story.html |access-date=2022-10-21 }}</ref> Ramdev tried to escape capture by disguising himself in women's clothes but was eventually arrested and flown back to his ashram in Haridwar and banned from entering Delhi for 15 days.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/05/india-yoga-guru-corruption-protest|title=Indian police break up yoga guru's anti-corruption protest|last=Burke|first=Jason|date=5 June 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-05 |title=Ramdev wore a woman's clothes to evade cops |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/latest-news/ramdev-wore-a-womans-clothes-to-evade-cops/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> On reaching Haridwar, Ramdev told reporters that his fast was not over yet and he would continue with his ''[[satyagraha]]'' civil resistance.<ref name="police-storm_2017">{{cite news|title=Indian police storm yoga guru's corruption protest|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8558122/Indian-police-storm-yoga-gurus-corruption-protest.html|work=The Telegraph|access-date=16 February 2017|date=5 June 2011}}</ref>

Police reported that 53 citizens and ten police members were injured and treated in hospitals.<ref name="police-storm_2017" /> There were accusations that women protesters had been badly treated by the police, who alleged that they had objects thrown at them by protesters.<ref name="expressindia.com">{{cite news|first1=Ananya |last1=Bhardwaj |first2=Vijaita |last2=Singh |first3=Pritha |last3=Chatterjee |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Girls-who-shielded-Baba-were-told-he-wants-to-bless-them/799747/ |title=Girls who 'shielded' Baba were told he wants to bless them |newspaper=Express India |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113051240/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Girls-who-shielded-Baba-were-told-he-wants-to-bless-them/799747/ |archive-date=13 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pandey |first=Devesh K. |date=2011-06-04 |title=Police break up Ramdev's 'satyagrah' |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/police-break-up-ramdevs-satyagrah/article2076861.ece |access-date=2022-10-21 }}</ref> One female protester suffered a spinal injury and later died in a hospital from cardiac arrest.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-09-26 |title=India: Woman injured during Baba Ramdev crackdown dies |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-15056517 |access-date=2022-08-28}}</ref> In a statement, Ramdev highlighted her sacrifice and noted that they would honor her by fighting against corruption in India.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 September 2011 |title=Rajbala, seriously injured in Ramlila crackdown, dies |work=The Hindu |location=[[Chennai]], India |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/rajbala-seriously-injured-in-ramlila-crackdown-dies/article2486713.ece}}</ref>

Ramdev accused the government of cheating him, and alleged that there was a conspiracy to kill him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=C.k.chandramohan |date=2011-06-05 |title=Govt. conspired to kill me: Ramdev |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-conspired-to-kill-me-ramdev/article2079129.ece |access-date=2022-10-23 }}</ref> Leaders of the BJP said that the police action had been a shameful chapter in the democracy of this country.<ref name="guardian" /> BJP leader [[L. K. Advani|LK. Advani]] called it naked fascism.<ref>{{cite news|title=India: Protests against crackdown on Baba Ramdev|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-13663849|publisher=BBC News |access-date=15 February 2017|date=6 June 2011}}</ref> India's Supreme Court asked the government for an explanation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-06-06 |title=India's Supreme Court wants answers on protest crackdown |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/india-guru-idINL3E7H60E320110606 |access-date=2022-10-24}}</ref>

Ramdev was supported by civil society activists as well.<ref name=":20" /> Activist [[Anna Hazare]] called the crackdown a "strangulation of democracy".<ref name=":20">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/civil-society-activists-criticise-police-action-at-ramlila-grounds/article2078919.ece|title=Civil society activists criticise police action at Ramlila Grounds|date=5 June 2011|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> Hazare indicated that the action could have been compared to the [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre]] if the policed had fired ammunition.<ref name="Anna to fast in support of Baba Ramdev">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Anna-to-fast-in-support-of-Baba-Ramdev/Article1-706052.aspx |title=Anna to fast in support of Baba Ramdev |date=5 June 2011 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=6 June 2011 |location=New Delhi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609024556/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Anna-to-fast-in-support-of-Baba-Ramdev/Article1-706052.aspx |archive-date=9 June 2011 }}</ref> Thousands of supporters in other cities continued their fast in protest.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=Rama |date=2011-06-04 |title=Fast led by yoga guru prompts India to weigh move against corruption |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/yoga-guru-begins-fast-to-fight-corruption-in-india/2011/06/04/AGRwVfIH_story.html |access-date=2022-10-24 }}</ref>

Ramdev ended his fast on the ninth day, after being hospitalised two days earlier.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Baba-Ramdev-ends-fast-will-be-in-hospital-for-2-3-days/articleshow/8822916.cms |work=The Times of India |title=Baba Ramdev ends fast, will be in hospital for 2–3 days |date=12 June 2011}}</ref><ref name=":21">{{Cite news |others=PTI |date=2011-06-12 |title=Congress welcomes Ramdev's decision to end fast |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/congress-welcomes-ramdevs-decision-to-end-fast/article2098598.ece |access-date=2022-10-24 }}</ref> His decision to end the protest was welcomed by politicians from the BJP, Janata Party and Congress Party.<ref name=":21" /><ref>{{Cite news  |date=2011-06-12 |title=BJP welcomes Ramdev's decision to end fast |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjp-welcomes-ramdevs-decision-to-end-fast/article2098726.ece |access-date=2022-10-24 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-12 |title=Baba Ramdev breaks fast,vows to continue anti-graft campaign |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/latest-news/baba-ramdev-breaks-fast-vows-to-continue-antigraft-campaign/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

As a part of the "India against corruption" movement, Ramdev launched another indefinite protest on 10 August 2012 against the government's failure to act against corruption and repatriate money.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |title=Baba Ramdev launches second round of protest |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/baba-ramdev-launches-second-round-of-protest/articleshow/15416033.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-08-28}}</ref> He announced that his future strategy depended upon the government's response to his protest.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3745444.ece|title=Ramdev sets 72-hour ultimatum|last=Ali|first=Mohammad|date=8 October 2012|work=The Hindu|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Ramdev ended the fast at Delhi's [[Ambedkar Stadium]] on 14 August 2012, and announced he was returning to Haridwar.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-08-14 |title=Baba Ramdev ends fast, leaves for Haridwar |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/india-baba-ramdev-corruption-idINDEE87D05L20120814 |access-date=2022-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-08-13 |title=Baba Ramdev India anti-corruption march halted by police |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-19240487 |access-date=2022-10-24}}</ref> At Ambedkar, Ramdev said, "we are leaving because we won."<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baba-ramdev-ambedkar-stadium-fast-parliament/1/213087.html|title=PM should become a baba like us, says Baba Ramdev |date=14 August 2012 |website=indiatoday.in |access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref>

 

Ramdev began appearing on TV as a yoga guru in 2002, first with [[Sanskar TV]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Dubey |first=Jyotindra |date=April 14, 2019 |title=Owned by Corporates, Run by Babas – the Economics Behind India's Devotional Television |url=https://thewire.in/media/owned-by-corporates-run-by-babas-the-economics-behind-indias-devotional-television |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=The Wire}}</ref>  The following year, in 2003, [[Aastha TV]] began featuring him in its morning yoga slot.<ref name=":7" /> He proved to be telegenic and gained a large following.<ref name=":7" /> A large number of people, including some celebrities from India and abroad, attended his Yoga camps.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Chowdhury |first=Mehedi Hossain |date=26 June 2019 |title=What makes Baba Ramdev so influential? |url=https://www.fitnessofbody.com/2019/06/baba-ramdev-yoga-sessions.html |website=Fitness of Body}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 January 2008 |title=Yoga heals Bollywood |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-28/news-interviews/27778259_1_breathing-techniques-yoga-pranayama |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104155914/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-28/news-interviews/27778259_1_breathing-techniques-yoga-pranayama |archive-date=4 January 2012}}</ref> He taught students in foreign countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan. He also addressed Muslim clerics at their seminary in [[Deoband]], Uttar Pradesh in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 November 2009 |title=Swami Ramdev promotes yoga at Deoband Gathering |work=Zee News |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjNyRFKRQ18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ZjNyRFKRQ18 |archive-date=2021-12-21}}</ref> At Yog Gram, his main yoga centre,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=MS |first=Nawaz |date=30 May 2021 |title=Will 'convert' 1,000 allopathic doctors to Ayurveda, says Ramdev |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/now-ramdev-says-he-has-set-a-target-of-converting-1000-allopathic-doctors-to-ayurveda/articleshow/83071088.cms |url-status=live |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530121107/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/now-ramdev-says-he-has-set-a-target-of-converting-1000-allopathic-doctors-to-ayurveda/articleshow/83071088.cms |archive-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> Ramdev practices and teaches yoga in an auditorium, for TV broadcast. In 2017, he was also a judge of a reality show entitled, "Om Shanti Om," where contestants sang devotional songs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-01 |title=Sonakshi Sinha, Baba Ramdev and Shekhar Ravjiani to judge bhajan reality show |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/exclusive-baba-ramdev-shekhar-ravjiani-and-kanika-kapoor-to-judge-bhajan-reality-show-4777419/ |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2005, 115 employees of Divya Yoga Mandir Trust began a protest for [[minimum wages]] and employees' rights, such as coverage under the [[Employees Provident Fund Organisation of India|Provident Fund]] and [[Employees' State Insurance|Employees' State Insurance Corporation]].<ref name="hinduayurveda" /> Management agreed to pay minimum wage and not initiate disciplinary actions against the employees protesting and, in turn, the employees agreed that they would restore normalcy in the workplace.<ref name="hinduayurveda" /> However, the Trust refused to take back some of the employees, accusing them of committing sabotage.<ref name="hinduayurveda" /> Their case was taken up by the [[Centre of Indian Trade Unions]] CITU, affiliated with the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|Communist Party of India Marxist]] CPI(M).<ref name="hinduayurveda">{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20060210002604200.htm&date=fl2302/&prd=fline&Frontline|title=In the name of Ayurveda|last=Rajalakshmi|first=T. K.|date=10 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216141438/http://hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20060210002604200.htm&date=fl2302%2F&prd=fline&Frontline|archive-date=16 December 2013|url-status=usurped|access-date=15 February 2017|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref name="karat-ramdev">{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=61019 |title=How Karat-Ramdev War began |work=The Indian Express |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060421182040/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=61019 |archive-date=21 April 2006 }}</ref>

[[Brinda Karat]], a senior figure in the CPI(M), took up the cause of the dismissed employees.<ref name="hinduayurveda" /> They indicated that human bones and animal parts were used in some herbal medicines manufactured by Divya Pharmacy, which is owned by Divya Yog Mandir Trust.<ref name="hinduayurveda" /> The dismissed employees provided samples that were tested at government laboratories, where the presence of animal materials in the sample was confirmed.<ref name="hinduayurveda" /> However, the source of the samples was disputed, since they had been given to Karat by the protesting employees and not procured by government officials.<ref name="byogi" /><ref name="hinduayurveda" /> Karat produced what were claimed to be the prescription and cash receipts for the samples, which were obtained from the Trust's hospital medicine counter.<ref name="hinduayurveda"/><ref name="karat-ramdev" /><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4580846.stm |title=Guru accused of 'human bone' drug |publisher=BBC | date=4 January 2006 | access-date=6 January 2010}}</ref> Ramdev denied the results and further testing conflicted with the previous tests.<ref name="byogi" /><ref name=":23" /> He received support from politicians, such as [[Sharad Pawar]].<ref name="byogi" /><ref name=":23" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/09/stories/2006010916751500.htm |title=Pawar appreciates work of Ramdev |date=14 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108011217/http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/09/stories/2006010916751500.htm |archive-date=8 November 2012 |url-status=dead |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=16 February 2017 }}</ref> Karat received a legal notice on behalf of a BJP leader in [[Faridabad]], ordering her to apologize publicly or face legal action.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Brinda-Karat-Receives-Legal-Notice-over-Ramdev-Issue-8562-1/ |title=Legal Notice over Ramdev Issue |website=Bio-medicine.org |access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/controversy/story/20060123-swami-ramdev-accused-of-mixing-human-bones-in-his-ayurvedic-medicines-784039-2006-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425131727/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/controversy/story/20060123-swami-ramdev-accused-of-mixing-human-bones-in-his-ayurvedic-medicines-784039-2006-01-23 |url-status=live |title=Swami Ramdev accused of mixing human bones in his ayurvedic medicines |last=Bhattacharjya |first=Satarupa |date=16 March 2012 |archive-date=25 April 2022 |publisher=[[India Today]]}}</ref>

[[Rajiv Dixit]], Ramdev's advisor, died of a cardiac arrest on 30 November 2010 in [[Bhilai]], [[Chhattisgarh]].<ref name="byogi" /><ref name=":24">{{Cite web |date=2012-09-09 |title=Ramdev alleges conspiracy to link him to death of an associate |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/latest-news/ramdev-alleges-conspiracy-to-link-him-to-death-of-an-associate/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The New York Times claim that a few of Ramdev's friends believe that he may have been involved in Dixit's death, however, he has denied any involvement.<ref name="byogi" /><ref name=":23" /><ref name=":24" />

===Against Homosexuality ===

In 2013, the [[Supreme Court of India]] upheld the constitutionality of [[Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code|Section 377]], which in part criminalized homosexuality.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2013-12-11 |title=As It Happened: Indian Supreme Court Rules Gay Sex Illegal |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-IRTB-21720 |access-date=2022-08-29 }}</ref> Following the verdict, Ramdev called homosexuality a bad addiction and claimed he can cure it by yoga. When asked how, he demonstrated by standing straight.<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 December 2013|title=Homosexuality is a disease, yoga can cure it: Ramdev|work=Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/131211/news-current-affairs/article/homosexuality-disease-yoga-can-cure-it-ramdev|url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226121650/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/131211/news-current-affairs/article/homosexuality-disease-yoga-can-cure-it-ramdev|archive-date=26 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=":23">{{Cite news |last=Crair |first=Ben |date=2018-03-15 |title=This Multibillion-Dollar Corporation Is Controlled by a Penniless Yoga Superstar |language=en |work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-03-15/this-multibillion-dollar-corporation-is-controlled-by-a-penniless-yoga-superstar |access-date=2022-08-29}}</ref>

=== Medicine ===

Ramdev sparked several controversies related to diagnosing and curing [[COVID-19]] at the beginning of the pandemic.<ref name=":25">{{Cite news |date=2020-05-06 |title=Coronavirus: The health advice that is misleading or worse |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-52532651 |access-date=2022-11-01}}</ref> He claimed that holding one's breath could help one diagnose the virus, and further claimed that mustard oil could treat the virus, both of which lacked scientific basis.<ref name=":25" /> In May 2021, he questioned the need for oxygen amongst COVID-19 patients, but later withdrew his remarks after facing criticism from doctors.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-05-25 |title=Ramdev: Doctors furious over yoga guru's insulting Covid remark |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57237059 |access-date=2022-11-01}}</ref> But the back-handed apology did not last long as he again took a swipe at allopathy in an open letter, asking "If allopathy is so efficient, why do allopathic doctors fall ill and does allopathy have any medicine to ensure transition of a violent man into a decent one". Dr Jaswant of the Resident Doctors Association at AIIMS told that the “language of (Ramdev's) letter is not an apology”.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/26/why-indias-doctors-are-furious-over-yoga-guru-ramdevs-remarks |title=Why India's doctors are furious over yoga guru Ramdev's remarks |last=Kumar |first=Rohin |date=26 May 2021 |publisher=AlJazeera}}</ref> [[Indian Medical Association]]'s (IMA) national vice-president, Dr. Navjot Singh Dahiya, filed a police complaint against Ramdev for allegedly creating the wrong perception about treatments and for allegedly using defamatory and insulting language towards doctors.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 May 2021 |title=IMA national VP submits complaint against Swami Ramdev |work=Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/ima-national-vp-submits-complaint-against-swami-ramdev/articleshow/82499220.cms |access-date=10 May 2021}}</ref>

In June 2020, Patanjali Ayurved announced a drug named Coronil for COVID-19 treatment, marketing it as a cure for COVID-19 patients.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Siladitya |title=Search Interest In Coronil—A False Covid Cure—Soars In India As Pandemic Rages |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2021/05/07/search-interest-in-coronil-a-false-covid-cure-soars-in-india-as-pandemic-rages/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |others=PTI |date=2020-06-23 |title=Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved claims it can "cure COVID-19 in 7 days" |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/ramdevs-patanjali-ayurved-claims-it-can-cure-covid-19-in-7-days/article31898540.ece |access-date=2022-10-10 }}</ref> The day after the launch, a criminal complaint was filed against Ramdev and his partner, [[Balkrishna]], in Muzaffarpur court by a social worker for misleading and putting the lives of a large number of people at risk.<ref>{{Cite news |others=PTI |date=2020-06-24 |title=Complaint in Bihar seeks FIR against Baba Ramdev over COVID-19 medicine claim |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/complaint-in-bihar-seeks-fir-against-baba-ramdev-over-covid-19-medicine-claim/article31905842.ece |access-date=2022-11-01 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dutta |first=Sumi Sukanya |date=15 July 2020 |title=Did Coronil violate clinical trial norms? Doctors, experts seek MCI intervention |work=Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jul/15/did-coronil-violate-clinical-trial-norms--doctors-experts-seek-mci-intervention-2170133.html |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref> The Indian government allowed Patanjali Ayurved to market Coronil as an immunity booster but not a cure, banning it from selling as a [[COVID-19]] cure.<ref name="BBC Coronil">{{cite news |date=19 December 2020 |title=Covid-19: Fake 'immunity booster' found on sale in London shops |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-55318095 |access-date=21 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |others=PTI |date=2020-07-01 |title=Patanjali to sell Coronil as 'immunity booster,' not 'cure for COVID-19' |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/patanjali-can-sell-its-drug-but-not-ascureto-covid-19-says-union-health-ministry/article31962529.ece |access-date=2022-10-10 }}</ref> The [[Government of Maharashtra]] banned the sale of Coronil in the state, citing that the [[World Health Organization|World Health Organisation]] had not certified the medicine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-23 |title=Explained: The row over Patanjali's Coronil, and why Maharashtra wants to ban it |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-maharashtra-wants-to-ban-coronil-for-now-and-what-is-its-who-certification-7201589/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Lawsuits were filed in Bihar and Rajasthan against Ramdev, Balkrishna, and others, accusing them of cheating and selling fake medicines.<ref name="HT_Coronil">{{cite news |last1=Afreen |first1=Jasra |date=29 June 2020 |title=Complaint filed in Bihar court against Baba Ramdev over Covid-19 medicine claim |work=Hindusthan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/patna/complaint-filed-in-bihar-court-against-ramdev-over-covid-19-medicine-claim/story-UIEsPIZMoDsGZAE3TcDknK.html |access-date=29 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="IE_Coronil">{{cite news |date=29 June 2020 |title=FIR against 5 over Covid-19 'medicine' claim: Ramdev, Patanjali MD booked for 'cheating' |work=Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fir-against-5-over-covid-medicine-claim-ramdev-patanjali-md-booked-for-cheating6479691/ |access-date=29 June 2020}}</ref>  The [[Madras High Court]] fined the company {{INRConvert|10|l|year=2020}} for "exploiting fear and panic among the general public by projecting a cure for the coronavirus."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sannith |first=Jude |date=6 August 2020 |title=Madras HC: Patanjali cannot use 'Coronil' branding, must pay Rs 10 lakh fine for exploiting fear |work=CNBC TV18 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/healthcare/madras-hc-patanjali-cannot-use-coronil-branding-must-pay-rs-10-lakh-fine-for-exploiting-fear-6565351.htm |access-date=10 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Patanjali Ayurved fined Rs 10 lakh by Madras HC for chasing profits by claiming COVID-19 'cure' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/aug/06/patanjali-ayurved-fined-rs-10-lakh-by-madras-hc-for-chasing-profits-by-claiming-covid-19-cure-2180005.html |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Patanjali withdrew the claim of Coronil being a cure for COVID-19.<ref name="BBC Coronil" /> The UK drug regulator threatened action if the unauthorized products were sold in the UK market.<ref name="BBC Coronil" />

On 18 August 2022, Delhi High Court told Baba Ramdev not to mislead people against [[modern medicine]] after questioning the efficacy of [[COVID-19 vaccine]]s and to avoid making any claims other than what is deemed official about Patanjali's Coronil.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Staff Reporter |date=2022-08-17 |title=Don't mislead public against allopathy, Delhi HC tells Ramdev |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/dont-mislead-public-against-allopathy-delhi-hc-tells-ramdev/article65780004.ece |access-date=2022-11-01 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-17 |title=Don't mislead people by saying more than what is official: Delhi HC to Ramdev over Covid vaccine |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/baba-ramdev-covid-vaccine-joe-biden-ayurveda-delhi-hc-8095355/ |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In late May 2021, Ramdev sparked a controversy when he claimed that modern medical science is a "stupid science" and that patients have died due to it.<ref name=":26">{{Cite web |date=2021-05-25 |title=From calling allopathy a 'stupid science' to dubbing Coronil as Covid cure: Ramdev's controversial remarks |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ramdev-coronil-allopathy-coronavirus-doctors-remarks-7329359/ |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> As a result, the IMA claimed that he was creating fear and frustration among the public to sell his drugs.<ref name=":10" /> The IMA also demanded the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare|Union Health Minister]] [[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]] take action against Ramdev and prosecute him under the [[Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897]] to save lives.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|date=22 May 2021|title=IMA demands action against yoga guru Ramdev|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-must-take-action-against-ramdev-for-making-unscientific-statements-against-allopathy-ima/article34621708.ece|url-status=live|access-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522154729/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-must-take-action-against-ramdev-for-making-unscientific-statements-against-allopathy-ima/article34621708.ece|archive-date=22 May 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=22 May 2021|title=Centre must take action against Ramdev for making unscientific statements against allopathy: IMA|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ima-seeks-action-against-ramdev-for-making-unscientific-statements-against-allopathy-7325750/|url-status=live|access-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522154940/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ima-seeks-action-against-ramdev-for-making-unscientific-statements-against-allopathy-7325750/|archive-date=22 May 2021}}</ref> The Delhi Medical Association demanded an FIR against him.<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 May 2021|title=DMA demands FIR against Ramdev|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dmademands-fir-against-ramdev-101621717300293.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522211108/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dmademands-fir-against-ramdev-101621717300293.html|archive-date=22 May 2021}}</ref> Later, Patanjali's Balkrishna clarified that Ramdev has, "no ill-will against modern science and good practitioners of modern medicine".<ref name=":26" /> After facing pressure from the Health Minister, Ramdev eventually withdrew his comments and issued an apology.<ref name=":26" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-24 |title=After Harsh Vardhan rap, Ramdev takes back allopathy statement |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ramdev-statement-allopathic-medicine-harsh-vardhan-ima-7327040/ |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

Following the withdrawal, he posted 25 questions to IMA in an ‘open letter’ regarding treatments for several diseases.<ref name=":11" /> He courted sharp criticism from the medical community when he claimed that, "[d]octors should not fall ill at all if allopathy is all powerful and ‘sarvagun sampanna’ (having all good qualities)".<ref name=":26" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|date=24 May 2021|title=Smarting under statement withdrawal, Ramdev poses 25 questions to IMA|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/baba-ramdev-statement-withdrawl-twitter-poses-25-questions-to-ima-7328634/|url-status=live|access-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524192945/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/baba-ramdev-statement-withdrawl-twitter-poses-25-questions-to-ima-7328634/|archive-date=24 May 2021}}</ref> IMA's Uttarakhand division sent a defamation notice to Ramdev and expressed that they would demand {{INRConvert|1000|c|year=2021}} if he didn't issue an apology.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-26 |title=IMA Uttarakhand sends Rs 1000 crore defamation notice to Ramdev |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ima-defamation-notice-ramdev-7330992/ |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> In a new video, he was seen reacting to the demand by saying, "even their father cannot arrest him".<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 May 2021|title=Even their father cannot arrest me: Ramdev in another video|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/even-their-father-cannot-arrest-me-ramdev-in-another-video/article34657338.ece|access-date=27 May 2021 }}</ref>

During a yoga camp in Haridwar, Ramdev said several allopathy practitioners with MBBS and MD degrees were facing the side-effects of allopathy and are now turning towards yoga and ayurveda.<ref name=":0" /> He said his target would be to convert 1000 doctors to ayurveda within a year.<ref name=":0" />

On 3 June 2021, the [[Delhi High Court]] refused to issue an injunction against Ramdev, noting that his comments fall under the right to freedom of speech and expression.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ahsan|first=Sofi|date=4 June 2021|title=Delhi High Court says Ramdev's statements on allopathy fall within parameters of freedom of speech|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/ramdevs-statements-on-allopathy-fall-within-parameters-of-freedom-of-speech-delhi-hc-7342955/|access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref>

In March 2017, Ramdev said at an event in [[Rohtak]] that he would have [[beheaded]] people who refused to chant [[Bharat Mata#Significance|Bharat Mata Ki Jai]] if there was no law, but  backtracked his statement a month later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-03 |title=Baba Ramdev summoned for 'beheading' remark |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/yoga-guru-controversy-ramdev-summoned-for-beheading-remark/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-26 |title=Ramdev backtracks from 'beheading' statement, says it was only a response to Owaisi |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/baba-ramdev-backtracks-from-beheading-statement-only-response-owaisi-2771227/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2023, Ramdev said Muslims think offering prayers legitimize terrorism and abducting Hindu girls.<ref>{{cite news |author=Scroll Staff |title=Muslims think namaaz legitimises terrorism, abducting Hindu girls, says Ramdev |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1043221/muslims-think-namaaz-legitimises-terrorism-abducting-hindu-girls-says-ramdev |access-date=2023-02-04 |work=[[Scroll.in]] |date=2023-02-03}}</ref>

* July 2007 – Legislature of the U.S. State of [[New Jersey]] honored Ramdev for his commitment to improving health in mind, body and spirit and to enhancing the well-being of people from all social backgrounds.<ref name="honour">{{cite news|date=13 July 2007|title=Delhi Darbar Soft power|work=The Tribune|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070713/edit.htm|access-date=16 March 2017}}</ref>

* July 2007 – Some members of the British House of Commons hosted a reception for him.<ref>{{cite news|date=19 July 2007|title=Many attend Ramdev's yoga camp in Glasgow|publisher=Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company.|agency=News 18|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/many-attend-ramdevs-yoga-camp-in-glasgow-269415.html|access-date=16 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=18 July 2007|title=British House of Common honours Yoga Guru Ramdev|publisher=Greynium Information Technology Pvt. Ltd.|agency=oneIndia|url=http://www.oneindia.com/2007/07/18/british-house-of-commons-honours-yoga-guru-ramdev-1184769558.html|access-date=16 March 2017}}</ref>

*April 2017 – Magazine [[India Today]] ranked Ramdev #5th in India's 50 Most powerful people of 2017 list.<ref>{{cite news|date=14 April 2017|title=50 power people|work=[[India Today]]|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-top-50-powerful-indians-mukesh-ambani-ratan-tata-kumar-mangalam-birla-gautam-adani-anand-mahindra-srk-amitabh-bacchan/1/928939.html}}</ref>

*April 2022 – The Indian Express ranked Ramdev 78th in the list of 100 Most Powerful Indians in 2022 (IE 100).<ref name=":27">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=IE100: The most powerful Indians in 2022 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-exclusive/ie100-the-most-powerful-indians-in-2022-7842489/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

# {{cite book |last=Ramdev |first=Swami |title=Prāṇāyāma Rahasya: Secrets of Prāṇāyāma, with Scientific Factual Evidence |year=2009 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. |isbn=978-81-89235-01-7}}

[[Patanjali Ayurved|Patanajali Ayurveda Limited]] remains one of the top ten advertisers in India, and Ramdev's face has become [[ubiquitous]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=interview-baba-ramdev-patanjali|url=https://thewire.in/books/interview-baba-ramdev-patanjali}}</ref>