Marriage, once considered a sacred, lifelong bond, is slowly losing its sheen in the eyes of many. Across the globe, and increasingly in India, people are beginning to question whether the institution is still built on love, trust and mutual respect — or if it has become transactional and temporary. Rising divorce rates are accompanied by a wave of disillusionment, with some viewing separation not as a last resort but as a strategic move. Where vows once symbolised unwavering commitment, they now seem, for some, like stepping stones toward financial or emotional escape routes. As trust erodes and relationships falter, society is left grappling with a deeper question: Is marriage still a foundation worth building on?
Amid this evolving perspective, a video currently circulating on social media platform X has added fuel to the fire. In the video, an interviewer poses a provocative question to a woman, asking about the most toxic thing she has ever done. With stunning candour, the middle-aged woman who claims to have gone through four separations shares her method of navigating divorces for personal gain. She describes how she took each of her husbands to court, secured a strong lawyer and then claimed a substantial portion of their retirement funds and property. She explains how she manipulated the legal system to obtain and then regularly increase child support, turning a painful breakup into what she framed as a strategic opportunity.
She elaborates further, noting that child support demands can be revisited and raised every few years, and what might start at a modest amount could eventually skyrocket. Her unapologetic tone has sparked outrage and concern, especially as the clip’s caption suggests that similar patterns are gaining ground in India. The accompanying text reads that this so-called “trend” is catching on rapidly in India too, where legal battles are allegedly being misused not just for justice but for financial advantage.
Here is the video:
https://x.com/DeepikaBhardwaj/status/1913068240978268232
Click to watch this video directly on X
This clip has ignited a flood of reactions online, many expressing shock, anger and even cynicism. Viewers debated whether such cases reflect a broader societal shift or remain isolated incidents. What remains undeniable is the discomfort many felt while watching someone articulate such an emotionally charged and exploitative strategy with ease.
Supporting this unsettling narrative is a study by Moneycontrol based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey, which shows a noticeable rise in divorce and separation rates across India. In urban regions, the percentage of divorced men increased from 0.3% to 0.5%, while divorced women rose from 0.6% to 0.7%. The increase is even more pronounced in rural areas, where the proportion of separated or divorced women is growing steadily.
This data not only reflects shifting societal norms but also raises questions about the underlying reasons for marital breakdowns — be it incompatibility, empowerment or, as some fear, manipulation. As India adapts to the changing dynamics of relationships, debates like these are bound to intensify, urging introspection on the role and relevance of marriage in modern times.
