Dowry over duty: How material greed shattered a seven-year bond

By Archana Kumar*

This account does not seek to expose names or tarnish identities. Its purpose is not to cast blame, but to articulate—with dignity—the silent suffering of a woman who lived her life anchored in love, trust, and duty, only to be ultimately abandoned.

The story began in 2015 when a young man, currently serving in the Indian Army, entered her life. During his studies, he resided at the young woman’s home, where he received the guidance that shaped his career and life’s direction. Over seven years, a bond of mutual understanding, trust, and selfless love flourished between them, leading to their marriage in 2022. This union was built on the foundation of shared affection and the consent of both families.

However, the aftermath of the wedding brought immediate rejection. Because no dowry was provided, she was denied her place as a member of the family. Despite this, she stood by her in-laws through every hardship, fulfilling her familial responsibilities and striving to uphold their social prestige. Whenever the family faced difficulty, she was the first to step forward, never asking what she would receive in return. She pleaded with humility for acceptance, yet, eventually, the doors of her home were barred against her.

In 2025, after four years of marriage and under intense family pressure, the husband decided to separate. Had separation been inevitable, it could have been handled with sensitivity and respect; instead, she was not only emotionally deserted but her social reputation was deliberately tarnished. She did not surrender. She approached military authorities, appealed to society, and pleaded with relatives. She knocked on every door, but in a patriarchal landscape, her voice remained unheard. While the husband’s identity remained shielded by his uniform and rank, her identity was reduced merely to that of a "wife." She was repeatedly told to compromise, to endure, and to remain silent. No one asked what she had lost, the mental trauma she endured, or the lengths she went to save the bond.

With a heavy heart, she turned to the system and society for justice. She maintained a dignified tone, trusting in legal procedures and the rule of law. Her initiative was not an act of vengeance, but a quest for her own dignity and a secure future. The Army uniform is more than a profession; it is a collective symbol of responsibility toward the nation, society, and the honor of women. When a life tied to that uniform lacks respect within the walls of its own home, how can one expect security or justice in the wider world?

The questions remain: Where did she go wrong? Is it a crime to love? Is it a mistake to stand by someone with loyalty and faith? Has the honest effort to keep a family together become a grievance in the eyes of modern society?

This commentary is not a crusade against an individual, but a challenge to the mindset that forces countless women into silent suffering. It is a call for introspection on the necessity of respect, sensitivity, and dialogue in relationships. Until society and its institutions find the courage to listen to women impartially, true justice will remain elusive. Change begins not with accusations, but with the acceptance of responsibility, humanity, and equality. Even today, amidst her pain, she holds onto hope—hope for justice, for humanity, and for a responsible society.

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*Based In Silchar, Cachar, Assam

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