Mumbai, June 12 – Popular television and film actor Ridhi Dogra has publicly urged young women to reject the idea that marriage is essential for survival, emphasizing self-reliance and financial independence amid a surge in dowry-related deaths across India. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the 34-year-old actress from the recent hit series *Jawan* called for an end to the romanticization of marriage and criticized the normalization of dependency on spouses.
“Please stop romanticising marriage,” Ridhi Dogra wrote directly to young women. “The age of your parents and the world they grew up in has expired… Girls don't need marriage for survival. For companionship. Yes. But not for dependency.” She went on to warn against unrealistic expectations of partners, stating, “Girls – pls don't expect your boyfriends to become Mr Prince Charming after marriage. They are human too and are figuring this new world out.”
Her post comes in response to two recent cases of alleged dowry deaths that have shocked the nation. On May 12, 33-year-old model-turned-actor Twisha Sharma was found hanging at her marital home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area. Sharma’s family has alleged she was subjected to harassment over dowry demands, while her in-laws have claimed she struggled with drug addiction. The case remains under investigation, with conflicting claims from both sides.
Separately, 24-year-old Deepika Nagar died on June 9 after allegedly falling from the terrace of her matrimonial home in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. Her family has alleged she was murdered by her in-laws due to unmet dowry demands, firmly rejecting claims that her death was a suicide or accident. Police are investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made so far.
Ridhi Dogra’s message extended beyond marriage, addressing broader issues of gender equality and feminism. She emphasized that true feminism is rooted in equality, stating, “True feminism is just equality. That's it. Nothing more and nothing less. When I speak for girls I also speak for boys… Feminism was never about putting men down.” She concluded her post with a cultural reference, saying, “We are from the land of Shiv and Shakti. Both go together.”
The actor’s call for self-empowerment resonates in a country where dowry-related violence remains a persistent issue despite legal prohibitions. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India reported 6,876 dowry death cases in 2022, averaging nearly 19 deaths per day. These incidents often involve young brides being subjected to extreme cruelty, harassment, and sometimes murder by in-laws seeking additional dowry payments.
Ridhi Dogra’s public stance has sparked conversations on social media, with many praising her courage in addressing such a sensitive and systemic issue. While her message has been widely shared, critics argue that systemic change requires more than individual empowerment—it demands stricter enforcement of existing laws, societal reform, and education around gender rights.
As investigations into the recent deaths continue, Ridhi Dogra’s words serve as a timely reminder of the urgent need for women to prioritize their safety, independence, and self-worth in a society where marriage is still often misrepresented as the sole path to security and happiness.
