Aniruddhacharya (born Anil Ram Tiwari, 27 September 1989), is an Indian Hindu religious orator and self-styled guru known for his controversial remarks.[1][2]
Early life and family
Aniruddhacharya was born on 27 September 1989 in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. His father was a local Hindu priest.[3][4]
He studied Hindu scriptures including the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana, which later informed his religious discourses.[5] He is married to Arti Tiwari and has two sons.[6]
Career
Aniruddhacharya delivers religious discourses across India, particularly focused on the Bhagavata Purana and related Hindu scriptures.[7][8] He is associated with charitable and religious activities in Vrindavan, including the operation of a Gauri Gopal Ashram that supports community services such as cow protection, an old-age home, monkey welfare, and educational programs.[9][10]
Media appearances
- He appeared as a guest on the reality television show Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment in 2024.[11]
- He claimed to decline an offer to participate in Bigg Boss 18, citing that the format did not align with his personal values.[12][13] But later appeared as a guest during the premiere episode of the show, where he presented a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to host Salman Khan.[14]
Public image and controversies
Aniruddhacharya has faced public criticism for controversial remarks.
In July 2025, Aniruddhacharya faced criticism after a video of his remarks at the Gauri Gopal Ashram in Vrindavan circulated on social media. In the clip, he commented on women marrying at or after the age of 25, implying that some may have been involved in multiple relationships. The remarks were widely condemned as sexist, prompting criticism from women’s rights groups, lawyers, and public figures.[15]
In August 2025, he issued an apology following backlash over his remark that "unmarried women have loose character."[16]
In September 2024, he issued an apology following backlash over a statement involving Lord Shiva.[17] He has also been criticised for comments regarding clothing and sexual violence.[18][19] He has also been the subject of internet memes, particularly for his remarks on topics such as food and daily habits.[20][21][22]
In 2022, he drew widespread criticism after making controversial remarks about women during a religious discourse. He claimed that excessive beauty in women is a fault, suggesting that figures from Hindu mythology like Sita and Draupadi suffered because they were "more beautiful than necessary."[23] The comments were widely condemned as misogynistic and blamed for promoting a victim-blaming mindset. Public figures and social media users criticised the statement, and an FIR was filed in Mathura for allegedly insulting revered female figures of Hinduism.[23]
References
- ↑ Aniruddhacharya faces severe backlash, with the internet up in arms against his sexist comment about women: ‘25 saal ki ladki...'. The Times of India(2025-07-31). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ↑ Who is Pookie Baba, the viral self-styled guru known for his hilarious remarks?. Wion. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
- ↑ कितने पढ़े लिखे हैं अनिरुद्धाचार्य महाराज, 1 कथा की कितनी लेते हैं फीस?, Mishra, Manoj. TV9 Bharatvarsh(2024-08-30). Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ↑ 'Biscuit Baba': Televangelism In The Age Of Reels, Bose, Rakhi. Outlook India(2024-07-29).
- ↑ Who is Aniruddhacharya Maharaj? Know more about Pookie Baba’s life journey and net worth. The Times of India(2024-10-09). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedfamily - ↑ Aniruddhacharya Ji Maharaj's Net Worth and Earnings: The Wealth Behind the Famous Spiritual Leader, Arora, Gobind. Newstrack English(2024-08-17). Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ↑ Aniruddhacharya Maharaj Net worth: Know his earnings, fees and more, Stories, Asianetnews English. Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd(2024-09-07). Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ↑ Who is Aniruddhacharya Maharaj – The internet's sensation with a sense of humour that's off the charts. Financial Express.
- ↑ सिर पर पल्ला, माथे पर बिंदिया...कौन हैं अनीरुद्धाचार्य महाराज की पत्नी, क्या करती हैं, जानें सबकुछ. News18 हिंदी. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ↑ Laughter Chefs: Dr Aniruddhacharya to appear as special guest; audiences to get unlimited dose of entertainment. Pinkvilla.
- ↑ Aniruddhacharya declines 'Bigg Boss 18': Offered crores but they are not cultured. India Today(2024-08-27).
- ↑ Spiritual Leader Aniruddhacharya Ji Maharaj reveals the reason behind turning down the offer of Salman Khan hosted Bigg Boss 18. The Times of India(2024-08-29).
- ↑ Bigg Boss 18: Aniruddhacharya blesses contestants, gifts Salman Khan Bhagavad Gita. India Today.
- ↑ Aniruddhacharya faces severe backlash, with the internet up in arms against his sexist comment about women: ‘25 saal ki ladki...'. The Times of India(2025-07-31). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ↑ Aniruddhacharya apologises after outrage over ‘unmarried women have loose character’ remark: ‘Some, not all’ | Today News, Livemint. mint(2025-07-26). Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ अनिरुद्धाचार्य महराज ने भगवान शिव को लेकर दिया विवादित बयान, संत हुए आग बबूला, अब मांगी माफी, प्रसाद, पूजा. News18 हिंदी(2024-09-07). Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ↑ 'Kapdo Ka Bhi Dosh Hota Hai': Spiritual Leader Aniruddhacharya's Remark On Rape Sparks Row - Video. Times Now(2024-08-19). Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ↑ अनिरुद्धाचार्य सोशल मीडिया पर 'मीम मटेरियल' बने हैं तो इसकी वजह उनके ये बयान हैं, Suman, Ravi. The Lallantop(2024-06-24). Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ↑ Who is Baba Aniruddhacharya? Meet internet's favourite spiritual guru. MSN. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ↑ The Internet Has A Favourite Baba & We Are Seriously Considering His Life Lessons At This Point, Ailawadi, Manya. ScoopWhoop(2024-07-19). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ↑ बिस्किट को 'विष-किट' बताने वाले महाराज को अमेरिका से मिली है डिग्री, जानें कहां तक की है पढ़ाई. Aaj Tak(2024-08-29).
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Preacher booked for derogatory remarks against Hindu deities, PTI. ThePrint(2022-10-19). Retrieved 2025-07-05.