Thiruvananthapuram: Social media figure Monalisa Bhosle, who went viral during the Kumbh Mela, has defended her marriage to Mohammed Farman Khan after the right-wing Hindutva group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) raised allegations that she is underage.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Monalisa and her husband rejected the claims and stated that she has already turned 18 and is legally eligible to marry. They presented documents, including her Aadhaar card and birth certificate, to support their claim.
Monalisa Bhosle and Mohammed Farman Khan addressing the press.
According to the birth certificate issued in Madhya Pradesh, Monalisa was born on January 1, 2008. Farman said this proves that she is 18 years of age. He also questioned how a marriage certificate could be obtained through the government’s K-Smart portal if she had not reached the legal age for marriage.
Monalisa maintained that the marriage was her personal decision. She said, “I have completed my 18th birthday. I got married of my own free will. The marriage is according to Hindu beliefs. I will not change my religion after marriage.”
Farman said their relationship is based on mutual love and respect and that religion has no role in their decision to live together. The couple also said they organised the press conference to counter what they described as “fake news” circulating in North India, portraying their marriage as a case of “love jihad.”
The controversy began after the VHP filed a complaint with the state Director General of Police alleging that Monalisa is still a minor. In the complaint, VHP state general secretary Anil Vilayil claimed that Monalisa celebrated her 16th birthday on January 21, 2025, and that videos of the celebration were available on social media. He also said that her mother had confirmed the same when contacted.
Vilayil urged the police to investigate the matter and take action against those involved in conducting the marriage if it violates the Child Marriage Act or the POCSO Act.
Monalisa and Farman were married on Tuesday at the Arumanoor Nainar temple near Poovar in Kerala’s capital. CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan, Kerala minister V Sivankutty and MP AA Rahim were among those who attended the ceremony. Govindan said the marriage should be viewed as a union between two independent individuals.