Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and yoga guru Baba Ramdev have resolved a long-running public dispute, with Ramdev confirming on Wednesday, 23 September that the two met in New Delhi and settled their differences. The reconciliation ends a feud that had played out across courtrooms, press conferences, and public platforms over four years.

What Ramdev Said After the Meeting

Ramdev stated that Singh had developed certain misgivings about him based on hearsay and video clips, and that those doubts were addressed and cleared during the meeting. He thanked Singh and noted that the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president offered his respects, expressed high regard for sants and Sanatana, and acknowledged Ramdev's work for the country in high esteem.

Roots of the 4-Year Dispute

The rift between the two public figures dates back approximately four years. Singh — a six-term MP born in Bishnoharpur village of Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh — had alleged that Ramdev and his organisation had done nothing for the birthplace of ancient Indian sage Maharishi Patanjali, whom Singh claimed was from Gonda. Patanjali is widely regarded as the father of classical yoga and the author of the Yoga Sutras.

Singh had publicly demanded that Ramdev and Patanjali managing director Balakrishna stop using the sage's name for commercial purposes. He also advised people to rear their own buffaloes and cows for pure milk and ghee, rather than purchasing what he characterised as inferior branded products.

Legal Battle and Escalating Accusations

Patanjali Foods Limited escalated the conflict by filing a ₹50-crore defamation suit against Singh in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, after he publicly criticised its ghee as 'fake'. In response, Singh alleged that Ramdev was the 'emperor of adulterators,' claiming several Patanjali products had been banned in other countries.

The dispute drew further heat when Singh was embroiled in a sexual harassment controversy in 2023, with female wrestlers accusing him of misconduct during his tenure as WFI head. Ramdev reportedly sided with the complainants at the time. As recently as last month, Singh accused Ramdev of introducing spurious and foreign goods under the banner of 'Swadeshi.'

Political Significance of the Truce

Both figures carry considerable influence within the broader Hindu nationalist ecosystem — Singh as a mass-contact politician from Uttar Pradesh, and Ramdev as a brand-builder with a vast grassroots following. Their public quarrel had been an unusual spectacle within circles aligned to the BJP. The reconciliation, notably, comes ahead of a politically sensitive period in the state.

With the two now sitting together and declaring the feud closed, attention will turn to whether the legal proceedings — including the ₹50-crore defamation suit — are also withdrawn or settled out of court.