Veteran singer Anuradha Paudwal is drawing criticism on social media after remarks made during an interview in which she linked LGBTQIA+ rights to what she said is the weakening of the institution of marriage in India. In the interview, she said that the “sanctity” is not left in marriage until a man and a woman marry and start a family, and she questioned how members of the LGBTQIA+ community contribute to society. She also referred to personal observations of “different things” she said she hears in public discourse and questioned the welfare impact of family structures that do not match traditional norms.
Netizens have reacted negatively, disputing the premise of her comments and arguing that assessing a community’s contribution can be difficult when it has historically faced discrimination in areas such as education, employment, housing, and public life. Some also challenged her framing by citing legal marriage and adoption as forms of contribution, and some said her statement affected their respect for her.
As of the reports, Paudwal has not issued a direct response to the backlash.
