The Delhi High Court has cautioned public figures to be prepared for criticism and occasional ridicule, stating that courts cannot prevent people from making fun of them unless the remarks are humiliating or disparaging.
The observation was made by a bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela while hearing a plea by Patanjali Ayurveda's managing director, Acharya Balakrishna, seeking protection of his personality rights.
The court noted that individuals in the public eye must be ready to face criticism and occasional 'brickbats' and that courts cannot stop people from making fun of them unless it is disparaging or humiliating.
The court's remark came after counsel for Google submitted that Balakrishna was seeking the removal of certain news reports, commentary, and caricatures relating to proceedings against him before the Supreme Court without impleading the concerned news organisations and content creators as parties.
The Supreme Court had closed the contempt proceedings against yoga exponent Ramdev and Balakrishna in August 2024 after accepting their undertakings to refrain from issuing misleading advertisements or claims about Patanjali products.
Senior advocate Arvind Nayar, appearing for Balakrishna, said that content connected with the top court judgment need not be taken down and that Balakrishna enjoyed a significant following across both urban and rural areas.
