Patna: Days after Valentine-season chatter revived public curiosity about his personal life, Matuknath Chaudhary has addressed speculation triggered by a recent Facebook post, insisting that rumors about a new romance are unfounded and that his much-discussed past relationship belongs firmly to history.
The former academic said he still occasionally speaks with Julie, his former partner whose relationship with him once made national headlines. “We spoke three to four months ago. It’s only about health and general well-being. Nothing like before,” he said, adding that while affection and goodwill remain, the emotional chapter has closed.
Clarifying the viral post that reignited public interest, Chaudhary said it was a fictional narrative inspired by personal experiences rather than a reflection of his current life. According to him, media reports interpreting it as a real-life confession were based on assumptions. “People create stories in their minds and use me as a medium,” he said, describing such narratives as projections rather than reality.
The former Hindi professor, once associated with Patna University and posted at BN College, became a controversial public figure in 2004 when news of his relationship with a student surfaced. The two reportedly had an age gap of about 30 years. Following the controversy, the university suspended him in July 2006 and later dismissed him in July 2009. The episode also led to the end of his marriage.
Now 72 and living in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, Chaudhary runs a school and says he is not lonely. He describes solitude as a creative necessity rather than isolation. “Reading and writing are my calling. For reflection and meditation, one needs quiet,” he said, noting he interacts daily with thousands of followers online.
Addressing questions about his former partner’s life, he said she is currently in Port of Spain, capital of Trinidad and Tobago, where she has been living since 2014. He added that she had long been drawn to spirituality and gradually distanced herself while searching for a spiritual path. “She is happy where she is,” he said.
Chaudhary also spoke about public reactions, saying old photos and rumors about her health often resurface online. Such posts, he noted, sometimes invite abusive comments directed at him, which he finds distressing. He maintains he was not responsible for her decisions and that their separation was her choice.
Reflecting on relationships more broadly, he said marriage and live-in partnerships affect people differently, depending on personal experiences. He acknowledged he once tried to reconnect with his estranged family but said those efforts were not reciprocated.
Despite his past notoriety, Chaudhary says students rarely ask about his personal history. He previously taught undergraduate and postgraduate classes but now works with younger students. Occasionally, he added, college students used to approach him for advice on relationships, which he offered according to their situations.
Looking back at his widely publicized romance, he said the memories no longer bring pain. “If I remember, it is with joy, not sorrow,” he said, describing the relationship as a chapter marked by both affection and disagreements — elements he believes are natural in love.
