Hindu religious preacher Aniruddhacharya, known for his lively interactions with devotees and viral social media clips, has issued an apology after a recent remark about unmarried women sparked widespread backlash.

The controversy stems from a video clip where he appeared to suggest that women who are 25 or older and unmarried are typically promiscuous. The comment, made during a religious discourse in Vrindavan on an unspecified date, quickly went viral and drew strong criticism across social media platforms.

In the video, Aniruddhacharya advises early marriage for women and goes on to say, in colloquial Hindi, “Ladki laate hain 25 saal ki. Ab 25 saal ki ladki chaar jagah munh maar chuki hoti hai” — implying that by the age of 25, many women have had multiple relationships. He adds, “Sab nahin, par bahut” (not all, but many), and further says, “Jab jawan hoke aayegi toh swabhavik hai ki uski jawani kahin fisal jayegi” (when she’s grown up, it’s natural her youth would have slipped somewhere).

Facing mounting criticism, Aniruddhacharya released a video statement on Saturday, apologising for the remarks. He claimed the viral clip had been edited selectively, omitting key parts of his message to misrepresent his intent. “I was referring to some women, not all,” he clarified, adding that the video was manipulated to “create a false narrative.”

**Who is Aniruddhacharya?**

Born in 1989 as Aniruddh Ram Tiwari in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Aniruddhacharya is a well-known religious orator whose discourses often draw from Hindu scriptures. He rose to fame through his sharp, often humorous responses to devotees' unusual questions, many of which frequently go viral online.

His rising popularity once earned him a brief appearance on the reality TV show Bigg Boss, a stint he later apologised for, citing it as a misstep.

Married and a father of two, Aniruddhacharya is the founder of the Gauri Gopal Ashram in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. His public work includes running animal shelters, elder care programs, and other charitable initiatives.

Despite his apology, the backlash has sparked renewed conversations around the influence of religious figures and the need for more sensitivity in public discourse.