Mumbai: Following the recent alleged dowry-related deaths of Twisha Sharma and Deepika Nagar, Disha Patani’s sister Khushboo Patani, a former Indian Army officer, shared a series of emotional Instagram Stories questioning society’s pressure on women to prioritise marriage above everything else.
Her posts soon went viral for their strong views on marriage, dowry, and the way families often pressure women to “adjust” even in abusive circumstances.
In one of her Instagram Stories, Khushboo wrote, “Dahez ki aag mein jalti har beti ki khabar ek sawal chor jati hai, kya sach mein shaadi itni zaruri thi? (Every news of a daughter burning in the fire of dowry leaves behind one question, was marriage really so necessary?)”
Speaking about how society conditions women from a very young age to believe marriage is necessary, she wrote in another post, “Samaj bachpan se sikhata hai ‘Ek umra ke baad shaadi kar lo…’ ‘Akeli ladki achi nahi lagti…’ ‘Log kya kahenge?’ (Society teaches us from childhood, ‘Get married after a certain age…’ ‘A woman doesn’t look good alone…’ ‘What will people say?’)”
She added, “But no one taught us that living alone is also an art. Being happy with yourself is also a way of life.”
Claiming that abusive in-laws are not always the only people responsible in such situations, she wrote, “Aaj jitney zimmedar galat saas sasur hote hain, utni hi kayi baar chup rehne wale maa baap bhi hote hain. (Many times, parents who stay silent are just as responsible as abusive in-laws.)”
She further stated that many married women try to open up to their parents about their struggles, only to be advised to compromise rather than walk away from toxic situations.
According to Khushboo, women are often made to believe that such issues are a normal part of married life and are expected to simply “adjust.”
Khushboo also urged women to refuse marriages where dowry demands are involved.
She wrote, “Have guts to live alone and say no to marriage if it is all about dowry. Take your right back in the legal battle. Marna nahi hain, Maarna hai! (Don’t give up, fight back).”
In another emotional post, Khushboo said that daughters are not just married off, but are often gradually sacrificed in the process.
She wrote, “Dahej kam tha shayad, isliye har roz apmaan hui thi.( The dowry was not enough, which is why she was humiliated every single day.)”
Referring to herself, she concluded, “Your sister, born to be single.”
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