Sachchidanand Pathak, husband of YouTuber Khushbu Pathak, whose video titled Hum Do Humare Do Darzan indicating that they had 24 children went viral, has clarified that they only have two kids, while the “other 22” are saplings planted by his wife, which she cares for like a mother.
He also told News18 that the video was part of comedic content aimed at promoting tree plantation and was created by his wife. However, he said, other social media influencers and YouTubers distorted the original message, making Khushbu go viral as “the mother of 24”.
An idea is born
“The viral claim was a misunderstanding. We have only two children, Anmol and Aradhya, while the rest 22 are the saplings which Khushbu has planted. The idea, initially conceived by my wife, Khushbu Pathak, a YouTuber herself, was part of her comedy show that aimed to promote tree plantation. However, the matter was given a twist,” said Sachchidanand Pathak, who is a driver.
The fact came to light in an inquiry ordered by the district magistrate of Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. Subhash Singh, subdivisional magistrate (SDM), who investigated the matter, said that Khushbu was not the mother of 24 children.
“On the basis of Sachidanand’s statement, it was found that Khushboo Pathak made the above video to gain popularity and propagated it through social media. The news circulated about Khushboo Pathak, wife of Sachchidanand Pathak, resident of village Bauran Pargana Bidhar Tehsil Alapar, Ambedkar Nagar district, in the name of mother of 24 children is false,” reads the SDM’s report to the DM.
News18 tried to contact district magistrate Avinash Singh but he was not available for a comment.
Storm on the internet
In numerous videos that went viral, Khushbu Pathak detailed her unusual motherhood story, explaining how she gave birth to 16 boys and 8 girls, all conceived as twins from 12 pregnancies. She even referred to herself as the “viral mother of 24 children.” Her videos, which attracted lakhs of views, included testimonies from individuals claiming to be from her village, corroborating her story.
In one such video, Khushbu was seen boldly addressing the questions about her ability to maintain her figure despite having so many children. She attributed her physical fitness and beauty to divine grace, referring to it as a “natural gift”. She thanked God for blessing her with 24 children and for her looks, all the while expressing gratitude with folded hands. This video had more than 333,000 views when last checked.
Khushbu’s unique story drew widespread attention from YouTubers and social media influencers, many of whom lined up at her home for interviews. Her bizarre narrative propelled her to instant fame on social media platforms. However, the viral nature of the story also attracted the attention of local authorities.
‘My reality far different’
Khushbu Pathak told News18 that the controversy is nothing but propaganda created by social media influencers and YouTubers to make money and gain views. “I am Khushbu Pathak and my reality is far different from what is being shown in the viral videos,” she said.
She said that she was actually a victim. Khushbu said the comedic content she created was intended to promote environmental awareness through tree plantation, but it was misrepresented by other social media influencers. “I conceived the idea during lockdown. It was aimed at spreading tree plantation awareness among the masses. However, due to a lack of knowledge, instead of sharing the content or my video on my own social media account or channel, I gave the interview to some social media influencers and YouTubers who tweaked the intent of my content, making me viral as a mother of 24, without revealing the other part of the story and gained views in lakhs. They used me for personal gain,” said Khushbu.
The YouTuber said the truth is that despite having millions of views on her videos, she is forced to live a life of penury, while the social media influencers who interviewed her made lakhs of rupees out of her story.
On asking about her next step, Khushbu said she was clueless and didn’t know where to go, stating that she felt cheated. “I don’t know what to do. My husband is jobless, I hardly have any savings to meet the schooling expenses of my two children. I am not a beneficiary of any government-run welfare scheme. I appeal to the Yogi government to lend a helping hand and help me get the benefits of the welfare schemes,” she appealed with folded hands.
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