Khushboo Patani Slams Aniruddhacharya Maharaj’s Remark on Women in Live-in Relationships: “Wouldn’t Have Stayed Silent”

Khushboo Patani, sister of Bollywood actor Disha Patani, has strongly criticised spiritual leader Aniruddhacharya Maharaj for his recent controversial statement about women who choose to be in live-in relationships. Reacting to a viral video clip of the sermon, she said she would have spoken up immediately had she been present when the remark was made.

The Maharaj’s statement, widely circulated on social media, was called out for being derogatory and dismissive toward women who live independently or make relationship choices outside of marriage. In the clip, he made a sweeping comment questioning the morality of such women, sparking outrage across platforms.

Khushboo, a fitness coach and social media influencer, didn’t mince words in her response. She emphasised that public figures—spiritual or otherwise—must act responsibly when speaking about women’s rights and personal choices. According to her, reinforcing outdated stereotypes in the name of tradition is not only problematic but harmful, especially in a society already battling gender bias.

The issue has since taken on a broader tone, as several netizens and influencers from Tier 2 cities like Jaipur, Nagpur, and Lucknow weighed in on the debate. Many expressed concern over how public figures are often allowed to make sexist comments without accountability. Others saw this as a moment to push for more balanced and respectful conversations around women’s autonomy and changing relationship dynamics in modern India.

While the Maharaj’s supporters have remained largely silent or tried to downplay the comment as being “taken out of context,” the backlash continues to grow. For younger audiences in non-metro regions, where live-in relationships are still viewed as unconventional, voices like Khushboo’s serve as a counter-narrative to deeply ingrained judgments.

This clash of perspectives isn’t new in India, but what’s changing is who’s speaking up—and how quickly they’re heard. As more women publicly challenge regressive remarks, especially from influential personalities, it becomes harder to normalise such views under the guise of cultural values.

The conversation now goes beyond just one comment—it’s about who gets to define morality, and why that needs to change.