At the India Today Conclave Mumbai, Amruta Fadnavis acknowledged that she is frequently drawn into controversies and is at the receiving end of criticism, but said such attacks are less about her and more about opponents trying to corner her husband, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Amruta, who is a banker, singer, and a social worker, said that she remains unfazed by the trolling and her focus is on her mission.
“Devendra ji has a very transparent image and he’s a very honest person. So the opponents look around him as to who can be targeted, and they just find me. I know I am the target for them to point out at Devendra. But I also know how I have to act, what should be done and not done. I have dreams, I have a mission, and I will walk that way irrespective of criticism,” she said.
On social media trolling, Amruta said every woman with an independent voice faces it.
“Trolls will happen to every independent woman, a woman with a thought process or a voice. Trolls are like background music — you can either be disturbed or dance to that tune. It’s your decision what to do with it,” she remarked.
She added that while she respects people’s opinions at times, it is important not to lose sight of the core issue. “Nowadays, these social media handles are very notorious, they are paid for that, and they act accordingly,” she said.
Talking about life at home, she described Devendra Fadnavis as a man with “modern thinking” who truly believes in women’s empowerment. “At home I don’t have the tension to explain ki ye aisa kyon hai wo vaisa kyon (why or how something happened). He is a real man with modern thinking, and he knows where empowerment comes from — within the house, with your children, with your wife.”
When asked about a past controversy over the remarks on prostitution deserving human rights, she clarified that her comments came from an interaction with women in Pune’s Budhwar Peth. “Prostitution has been there in our country and worldwide since yesteryears, since the vedic period. We cannot do away with it completely, but we can curb trafficking and rehabilitate children. Since these women are already in the profession, don’t they deserve basic human rights?”
On whether she will ever enter politics, Amruta was clear: “I am a social entrepreneur. One of the things that brings me joy is seeing smiles on people’s faces through the work I do with NGOs in villages. That is my path.”
Reflecting on her unconventional journey, Amruta Fadnavis summed up her philosophy, “Being conventional is very comfortable but it is not my calling. I go by what my heart and mind say and align with my mission in life, rather than following conventions.”
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