Indian women push back against stigma as divorce remains socially taboo

Recent high-profile cases, including Souparna Arora’s successful Delhi divorce and the mysterious death of model Twisha Sharma, have ignited discussion on the pressure Indian women face to endure unhappy marriages. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta addressed the Supreme Court, arguing that families should assist daughters in leaving abusive relationships rather than risking fatal outcomes. Advocates such as Priya Hingorani observe a slow cultural change, especially in metropolitan areas where financial independence empowers women to consider divorce.

Nonetheless, India’s lack of no-fault divorce, varied personal laws, and a civil case backlog of over 11.3 million mean proceedings can stretch up to three years. Diaspora voices like Kavita Chabra in Melbourne and community organizer Reena Rana also highlight the stigma and emotional toll that persist across borders.