In granting wide relief to Patanjali’s Balakrishna, the court restricts free expression in India
Indian Express·2h ago·Neutral
What Happened
On March 24, Delhi High Court granted broad relief to Patanjali's Acharya Balkrishna, ordering removal of memes, cartoons, and satirical content about him across social media, websites, and AI platforms. The court requested Meta reveal anonymous critics' identities. This contradicts the judge's statement March 23 that public figures must accept scrutiny. Legal experts note the order prioritizes personality rights over free speech protections under Article 19(1)(a), exceeding previous precedents on commercial misuse.
Key Entities
Acharya BalkrishnaPatanjali Ayurved LtdDelhi High CourtJustice Tushar Rao GedelaMetaArticle 19(1)(a)Shreya Singhal vs Union of IndiaMadras High Court