India, July 20 -- V eteran playback and devotional singer Anuradha Paudwal, 71, has sparked backlash online after linking LGBTQIA+ rights to what she described as the declining "sanctity" of marriage. The multi-award-winning singer made the remarks during a recent appearance on Shubhankar Mishra's YouTube podcast. The conversation covered her five-decade musical journey as well as marriage, divorce, religion and education. Asked whether the institution of marriage had weakened in India, Paudwal said, "The sanctity isn't left in marriage. The reason is the rights given to the LGBTQ community. How are they contributing to society?" The Padma Shri recipient went on to contrast heterosexual marriages with LGBTQIA+ relationships, adding, "It is fine until a girl and a boy get married and start a family; they are doing it the right way. But with the LGBTQ community. How is it contributing to the welfare of society? Maybe I have missed a point, but how are they contributing to society?" Her remarks drew criticism from social media users, many of whom pointed out that sexual orientation had no bearing on an individual's contribution to society. When we contacted her regarding her remarks about the LGBTQIA+ community, Paudwal did not react. HTC...