The actor said she has never observed the fast but would like to, while emphasising that participation should be voluntary.
Devoleena Bhattacharjee has defended couples who choose to celebrate Karwa Chauth, arguing that their personal observance should not invite judgment.
In an October 29 post on X, reported by NDTV, the Saath Nibhaana Saathiya actor said she had never kept the fast herself but hoped to experience it someday. Her central qualification was that nobody should be forced to participate.
Her argument centres on voluntary observance
Bhattacharjee described the festival as a way some couples express affection. She questioned criticism framed around feminism and patriarchy when, in her view, the people involved are celebrating willingly.
Her remarks present her perspective on the debate. They do not establish that every household experiences the tradition in the same way.
The distinction in her own statement is important: defending someone’s decision to fast is different from saying that all married women should do so.
Why she has not kept the fast
The actor linked her lack of previous observance to the traditions she grew up with, referring to her Bengali and Assamese background. That was an explanation of her experience, rather than a comprehensive description of every family in either community.
She also expressed uncertainty about managing a day without water, despite observing other fasts.
In discussing future plans, Bhattacharjee said she was breastfeeding and hoped to participate the following year. This was a personal update, not medical guidance about fasting while breastfeeding.
Couples may attach different meanings to the festival
Bhattacharjee said she had seen women enjoy the celebration and husbands join their wives in fasting.
Her comments therefore focused on how some couples interpret and practise the occasion. They should not be read as evidence that everyone observes identical rituals or shares the same understanding of them.
Similarly, choosing not to fast does not, by itself, reveal how much someone values their relationship or cultural background.
A personal position, rather than a universal rule
The useful context for Bhattacharjee’s post is her emphasis on choice. She supports participation for those who want it, while acknowledging that she has not observed the fast herself.
Her comparisons with dieting and other forms of fasting were part of that argument. They do not establish that the practices have equivalent health effects.
The reporting reviewed does not provide a reliable measure of the overall public response, so claims that the post “divided the internet” would overstate the available evidence.
