Aniruddhacharya Apologises For Saying ‘Unmarried Women Have Loose Character'
A video of spiritual speaker Swami Aniruddhacharya has sparked outrage, especially among women, over his alleged derogatory comments towards 25-year-old women. The remarks, reportedly made during a religious event in Vrindavan's Gauri Gopal Ashram, have led to protests and sharp criticism from many groups.
The clip, which is being widely circulated online, features while speaking at the event. He reportedly said, 'Ab ladki late hai 25 saal ki. Ab 25 saal ki ladki chaar jagah mu maar chuki hoti hai. Sab nahi par bahut. Aur wo 25 saal ki jab aati hai toh puri jawan hoke aati hai. Jab jawan hoke aayegi toh swabhavik hai ki uski jawani kahi fisal jaegi (Now girls are marrying at the age of 25. By then, many, not all, have already been with multiple men. When a girl comes at 25, she is fully grown. Naturally, her youth may slip away somewhere)."
He also referred to the Sonam Raghuvanshi and Muskan Rastogi cases, saying, 'Jaise ki ek honeymoon manane gayi, par wo kisi aur ke sath reh chuki thi, uske sath chakkar tha. Wo drum wala case purana nahi hua jyada (Like a woman went on her honeymoon, but she had already been with someone else. That case involving the drum is not even old)." He also allegedly said that girls should be married off at the age of 14 so that they can adjust better within the family.
After the footage circulated online, widespread anger started, particularly from women and social groups. According to Navbharat Times, the women advocates of the Mathura Bar Association called the remarks anti-constitutional and sexist and submitted a complaint to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). The advocates also staged a protest at the Collectorate and demanded strict legal action against Aniruddhacharya.
Gunjan Sharma, state president of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, strongly reacted to the video. As per Navbharat Times, she said that she will kill such an Acharya with her shoe. Meanwhile, Pandit Dinesh Falahari, the main petitioner in the Krishna Janmabhoomi case, also condemned the remarks and stated that such insensitive comments do not suit a person in a spiritual role.
Swami Aniruddhacharya Issues An Apology
As backlash intensified, Aniruddhacharya released a video apology through his official Instagram account. In it, he claimed that the viral video had been edited to create a misleading narrative. He said only a portion of his speech was circulated, while the rest, which offered clarification, was removed.
In his statement, he said, 'Even if my incomplete words have hurt anyone, I apologise. Whether it is a man or a woman, both should be character-oriented. My comments were directed at some individuals, not the entire society." He reiterated that this clarification was edited out of the circulating video.
When asked about the authenticity of the video, Aniruddhacharya suggested the possibility of AI manipulation. He said, 'Nowadays, it is the era of AI. Anyone can present my words however they like, using AI, and the world will think it is the truth."
Despite the apology, protests from various women's and social organisations continue.
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