Bhubaneswar, Jan 9: Recently, a Pune-based couple decided to divorce just a day after marriage, despite having dated for over two years. The divorce was handled by Advocate Rani Sonawane, who added that the grounds for separation were the difference in future living arrangements and ideology.

Before this, a couple filed for divorce 23 years after marriage in Gujarat over a dispute of whether to keep onions and garlic at home or not. The wife made the decision, leading to a split after years of sustaining their marriage.

Relationships in India, during this era, are burning and dousing like firecrackers, promisingly temporary. India Today says that India, a country with a low divorce rate globally, has seen a spike in divorce cases over the past few years.

Some divorces are caused by bizarre reasons, such as the wife dressing in a "vulgar manner" on honeymoon, or a husband giving too much love without fighting. In 2019, a woman filed for divorce as her husband was too busy preparing for UPSC exams that he barely gave any time to her.

During an interview, Indian entrepreneur and motivational speaker Sandeep Maheshwari said, "What exactly is missing in relationships these days is understanding what kind of a partner one needs" . He also said, "Indian couples didn't think about what kind of a partner they needed because that decision was taken up by someone else. That decision is to be taken by us for us".

Raj Shamani, a popular YouTuber, has another claim. He compared India with the US on divorce, stating that, in India, the most common reason for divorces is in-laws, while in the US it is infidelity.

Why did Indian couples not divorce before? How did a country become popular for its loyalty in the first place? Was it really loyalty?

In a report by India Today titled 'Will the surge in divorces and single living reshape Indian society,' it is stated by the CEO and founder of Folk Frequency, Gayatri Sapru, that in 70% of divorce cases, it is the woman who decides to get the divorce globally, and in India, it is no different. In the same article, Dr Chandni Tugnait, a psychotherapist, says that marriage is no longer about duty, but about other factors as well, such as emotional intimacy, mutual respect and personal growth.

According to a report by Seasia Stats, India and Vietnam lead with the lowest divorce rates. Developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Australia have one of the highest divorce rates.

On the other hand, a report named 'Worldwide Increasing Divorce Rates: A Sociological Analysis' claims that a country that is underdeveloped or has been going through an economic crisis will have an increased divorce rate.

Yet, amid the noise of statistics, courtroom anecdotes and viral debates, one truth stands out: Indian relationships are not collapsing — they are evolving. As emotional awareness grows and conversations around mental health, autonomy and mutual respect become mainstream, couples are no longer afraid to ask difficult questions early — or to walk away when answers don’t align. This shift, though unsettling for some, may ultimately lead to healthier partnerships built not on obligation, but on understanding. Perhaps the soul doesn’t need a partner by default — but when it chooses one, it seeks honesty, growth and harmony above all else.

This story is compiled by Satabhisa Jena.