Table of Contents
India is a country where food and culture unite people beyond religion. One such example is Rooh Afza — a 100-year-old traditional drink loved by millions across the Indian subcontinent. But in recent days, this iconic drink has been dragged into a needless religious controversy by Hindutva propagandists, especially Baba Ramdev.
The Glorious History of Rooh Afza
Rooh Afza was created in 1906 by Hakim Hafiz Abdul Majeed, a well-known Unani medicine practitioner from Delhi. His purpose was to create a herbal drink that could prevent heatstroke and cool down the body during extreme summers.
After his death in 1922, his wife Rabea Begum continued the legacy through Hamdard Trust. Even after the Partition of India in 1947, Rooh Afza remained popular in India, Pakistan, and later in Bangladesh.
Read more details : https://www.hamdardfoundation.in/our-founder
Rooh Afza is not just a drink — it’s part of Indian cultural heritage, served during festivals, iftar in Ramzan, and family gatherings.
Rooh Afza’s Dominance in the Market
According to reports, Rooh Afza sells around 900 million glasses annually in India alone. It has a strong market presence not just in India but also in the Middle East and South Asia.
In fact, data shows that biryani and Rooh Afza are among the most ordered items on online food platforms in India, cutting across religion and region.
Baba Ramdev’s Controversial Statement
Recently, Baba Ramdev gave a shocking statement, saying that people buying Rooh Afza are indirectly funding mosques and madrasas, while buying Patanjali products supports Gurukuls.
This statement is baseless and shows the dangerous mindset of mixing religion with business and spreading communal hate.
Ramdev’s remark is not new in India’s growing atmosphere of hate speech, but using a heritage product like Rooh Afza to divide people is highly condemnable.
Communalizing Food & Culture — A Dangerous Trend
Such statements are an insult to Indian culture where food and hospitality have always been beyond religion.
It is important to note that Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali has been facing criticism for false advertising and poor product quality. Perhaps to hide his failures, he is targeting Rooh Afza to gain attention from extremist supporters.
Conclusion: Rooh Afza is India’s Pride, Not a Religious Product
Rooh Afza was made for humanity, not for Muslims or Hindus specifically. It has always united people. Dragging it into communal politics reflects the cheap mindset of some propagandists.
This is not just about a drink — this is about saving India’s unity and heritage from hate-mongers.
Instead of targeting Rooh Afza, leaders like Baba Ramdev should focus on improving their products and respecting India’s diverse food culture.
