Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has once again sparked controversy after making remarks discouraging women from entering live-in relationships. Speaking at the 47th convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith in Varanasi, she linked such relationships to incidents of violence. Addressing the students, she said, “I want to say only one thing to the girls. Live-in relationships have become a trend these days. But, stay away from it.”
In a stark warning, the governor, who also serves as the chancellor of state universities, said, “Otherwise, you must have seen women being chopped up into 50 pieces.” Her statement appeared to reference recent cases of brutal crimes against women in live-in relationships, which have received widespread media attention.
Expressing concern over such incidents, Patel added, “I have been hearing such news for the past few days. And I keep thinking, why do our daughters do this? It pains me.” Her comments have drawn criticism for generalizing and potentially stigmatizing women who choose to live independently or in non-traditional relationships.
This was the second controversial statement by the governor in as many days. Just two days earlier, while speaking at the seventh convocation ceremony of Jananayak Chandrashekhar University in Ballia, she discussed the supposed consequences of live-in relationships. She claimed that visiting orphanages would show the outcomes of such arrangements, stating, “You will see 15 to 20-year-old girls standing in line with one-year-old babies.”
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