17 July,2026 02:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Anuradha Paudwal (Picture via YouTube)
Veteran bhajan singer Anuradha Paudwal has landed in controversy after her remarks on the LGBTQ community, marriage and society during a recent podcast with journalist Shubhankar Mishra. Her comments have triggered widespread criticism on social media, with several users accusing the singer of making uninformed and insensitive statements about the queer community.
During the conversation, Anuradha spoke about what she described as the "sanctity" of marriage and questioned the contribution of LGBTQ individuals to society. "The sanctity isn't left in marriage. Reason being the rights given to the LGBTQ community. How are they contributing to society? I would like to know. In what way are they contributing?" she said.
She further added, "It is fine till a girl and a boy get married and start a family; they are doing it in the correct way. But with the LGBTQ community, the relationship dynamics are quite confusing. I keep seeing such things every few days. How is it contributing to the welfare of society? Maybe I have missed a point, but how are they contributing to society?"
The singer also spoke about rising divorce cases and their impact on children, saying, "We have divorce cases which are going on for 12 years, and they have kids. Has anybody considered what the kids are going through? Children look and learn. That is how the concept of live-in came to India. And if that doesn't happen then they get converted to Islam. They should address these concerns first before talking about LGBTQ."
Her remarks quickly went viral, prompting strong reactions from social media users, many of whom criticised her understanding of the subject and questioned why she chose to speak on an issue they felt she lacked knowledge about.
One user wrote, "By that logic, madam, if marrying and producing children is the only way to contribute to society, then how are Modiji and Yogi contributing to society?"
Another commented, "Well... I'll tell you how they are contributing. They are willing to legally get married and legally adopt children who were thrown away by heterosexual people, and that says everything! Stop giving microphones to anyone and everyone."
A third user highlighted that contribution to society extends beyond marriage, writing, "Ma'am, homosexuals are contributing in the same way as heterosexuals are. They are doctors, engineers, artists and taxpayers. Even when they have been denied equal rights, they show up every day. Like you sing bhajans and some singers perform rock or metal. Wouldn't it be ridiculous to ask what your contribution to music is because you don't sing rock?"
Another disappointed fan wrote, "Wow! This has shook me. I don't ever want to listen to her songs anymore. From being her fan to hating her. She's in her JK Rowling era."
The remarks have since sparked a larger debate online, with many users defending the LGBTQ community and reiterating that a person's contribution to society cannot be measured solely by marriage or parenthood.
