Madhuri Grover clarifies 'gareeb bacche paida' remark after Lock Upp eviction
Synopsis
Evicted from Lock Upp, Madhuri Grover — wife of Ashneer Grover — is pushing back against viral backlash over her 'gareeb bacche paida' comment, insisting she was advocating for more children across all classes, not singling out the poor. The clarification has done little to quiet critics who say the original framing spoke for itself.
Key Takeaways
Madhuri Grover was evicted from reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa amid controversy over her 'gareeb bacche paida' remark.
She clarified that her comment was pro-natalist, saying she was encouraging everyone — rich and poor — to have more children.
Madhuri argued that a larger population would benefit the economy and strengthen industries.
She specifically called on wealthy families to consider having more children.
Lock Upp on Netflix continues with remaining contestants; it is hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh .
Madhuri Grover, evicted from the reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding her 'gareeb bacche paida' comment, asserting that her words were misread and that she was, in fact, encouraging people to have more children rather than discouraging anyone. The clarification came shortly after she was voted out of the show, amid significant online backlash.
What Madhuri Grover Actually Said
Speaking after her eviction, Madhuri — wife of entrepreneur Ashneer Grover — maintained that her original statement was pro-natalist in intent. 'I was talking about having more children. That we should have more children. I didn't stop anyone from having children,' she said.
She further clarified that her remarks were not directed at any specific economic class. 'I am not talking about the rich or the poor. I am saying that we should have more children,' she added, pushing back against the interpretation that she had made a classist remark about poorer families.
Her Argument: Population and the Economy
Madhuri elaborated that her underlying argument was economic — that a larger population could strengthen industries and overall growth. 'We regret that we didn't do that. In that, I am adding that the rich people should think more about this. If you do more, the economy will be better. The industries will be better,' she said.
She also appeared to address critics who pointed out that many of India's most successful individuals have risen from modest backgrounds. Her response suggested she sees the issue in terms of sheer numbers rather than class dynamics, though critics argue her original framing conflated the two.
Context: The Trolling and the Backlash
The remark triggered a wave of criticism on social media, with many viewers accusing her of implying that children born into poverty were a social burden. The controversy intensified given that her husband, Ashneer Grover, is himself a high-profile public figure from the startup world, making her comments more closely scrutinised.
Notably, the backlash reflected a broader sensitivity around class-based commentary in India, where statements perceived as dismissive of economically weaker sections tend to draw swift public response.
Lock Upp: Who Remains in the Show
With Madhuri's exit, Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa — streaming on Netflix — continues with contestants including Akanksha Chaudhary, Yogesh Rawat, Sunita Ahuja, Ram Kapoor, Shreya Kalra, Shivangi Joshi, Harshad Chopra, Sufi Motiwala, Dheeraj Dhoopar, and Varun Yadav (also known as Laila). The show is hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh.
Whether Madhuri's clarification will settle the debate remains to be seen, as the clip continues to circulate online.
Point of View
But the original phrasing did the damage. In an India where class-based commentary from the wealthy carries outsized scrutiny, the episode is a reminder that reality TV contestants with high-profile family names operate under a different public microscope. The controversy also points to a genuine national debate about natalism, class, and who gets to frame it.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Madhuri Grover say that caused controversy?
Madhuri Grover made a comment about 'gareeb bacche paida' (giving birth to poor children) while on the reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, which many viewers interpreted as classist or dismissive of economically weaker families. The remark triggered heavy trolling on social media.
How did Madhuri Grover respond to the backlash?
After her eviction from Lock Upp, Madhuri clarified that she was not targeting any economic class and was simply encouraging people to have more children. She argued that a larger population would strengthen the economy and industries.
Who is Madhuri Grover?
Madhuri Grover is the wife of entrepreneur Ashneer Grover, known for his association with the fintech startup BharatPe and his appearance on Shark Tank India. She was a contestant on the Netflix reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa before being evicted.
What is Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa?
Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is a reality show streaming on Netflix, hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh. It features celebrity contestants in a confinement-based format, with Madhuri Grover being the latest evictee.
Who are the remaining contestants on Lock Upp?
Following Madhuri Grover's eviction, the remaining contestants include Akanksha Chaudhary, Yogesh Rawat, Sunita Ahuja, Ram Kapoor, Shreya Kalra, Shivangi Joshi, Harshad Chopra, Sufi Motiwala, Dheeraj Dhoopar, and Varun Yadav (also known as Laila).
