Ramdev's sharbat jihad video goes viral: 'Funds used to build mosques, madrasas'

“In the name of quenching thirst during summers, people drink cold beverages that are basically toilet cleaners. On one side, there’s the attack of toilet-cleaner-like poison, and on the other, there’s a company selling sharbat, which uses the money earned from it to build mosques and madrasas. That’s fine, it’s their religion,” Ramdev said.

According to him, the company’s sharbat helps fund the construction of mosques and madrasas,. Ramdev also said the money earned from Patanjali sharbat will support gurukuls, Acharyakulam, Patanjali University, and the Bharatiya Shiksha Board.

“But if you drink that sharbat, it supports the construction of mosques and madrasas. On the other hand, if you drink Patanjali’s rose sharbat, it supports the setting up of Gurukuls, Acharyakulam, Patanjali University, and the Bharatiya Shiksha Board. That’s why I say, just like there is love jihad and vote jihad, there is also sharbat jihad. So, you must protect yourself from this sharbat jihad," he said.

The video sparked a range of reactions in the social media. The netizens quickly pointed out that Ramdev was referring to the popular drink Rooh Afza.

In an X post, a user criticised Ramdev for "selling his low-quality Patanjali Sharbat by playing the Hindu-Muslim Card." "The same Ramdev sold his Patanjali products in the Middle East by obtaining Halal Certification for some of its products, particularly those intended for export to Gulf countries," he said.

"We got Rooh Afza being called 'Sharbat Jihad' before GTA 6. Ab lagta hai phir se maafi mangni padegi," another user posted.

Earlier, Ramdev was embroiled in controversy after the Supreme Court directed him to apologise for claiming that Patanjali products could “cure” serious illnesses.