Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag and his wife, Aarti Ahlawat, are reportedly heading for divorce after 20 years of marriage. While the couple has not officially confirmed the news, reports suggest that they have been living separately for months. And as expected, the larger Indian audience online has reacted with anger, disappointment, and an overwhelming need to blame ‘westernization’ for this split.

It’s 2025, yet every time a marriage falls apart, the same old narrative is spun – ‘Couples these days don’t compromise,’ ‘Divorce is a trend,’ ‘The sanctity of marriage is being destroyed,’ In a country where we still hail Sita’s agnipariksha as the ultimate test of a woman’s loyalty, it is infuriating to see how we continue to expect people to suffer in silence rather than choosing happiness.
Divorce has become so normal nowadays…. Scary trend….!!!! pic.twitter.com/JKQMKBVEug
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) January 23, 2025
A man and a woman deciding to separate is still treated as an apocalyptic event. Because, of course, two individuals prioritizing their peace over societal expectations is simply unacceptable, right?
Why do we still consider divorce a failure instead of a decision made for personal well-being? Why do we glorify suffering in the name of ‘adjustment’? Why do we conveniently ignore the fact that many marriages in this country survive not because they are happy, but because they are forced to?
In the New India, our core culture and value system, once characterized by patience, tolerance, unity, compassion, adaptability, etc. now seem to be merely for display. The focus has shifted to how well one can flaunt their wealth. Material success overshadows personal virtues…
— Adarsh E Devaraj (@adarshdevaraj) January 24, 2025
Jashodaben Modi ji. This mother aged 70 years but she is alone having a Husband without any Divorce ! When injustice teaching by Super Power leaders with wife ? Then voter adopt & follows ideal leadership style ! Our Country Maa Sita undergoes Agni Pariksha (an ordeal of fire)… pic.twitter.com/ceqZ1wDJao
— Engg M.A.Imran🇮🇳 (@EnggMAImran1) January 24, 2025
A traditional Jat couple separating is huge, the institution of marriage in totality might be doomed, especially the concept of arranged marriages in India🤦🏻♀️
— Adhya (@psych_enigma) January 23, 2025
Sehwag and Aarti’s split is their personal matter. But the hostility that follows any divorce in India speaks volumes about our collective mindset. Happiness takes a backseat, while ‘saving face’ and ‘preserving tradition’ take priority.
If known people get divorced, it sends a wrong message to the society.
And the media also publicizes such news a lot for its poor publicity. pic.twitter.com/qhPncxJovG
— 🚩🚩जितेन्द्र नेगी🚩🚩 (@Jitendra_Negi_) January 23, 2025
Nowadays divorce has become a fashion….. These people think marriage is a child’s play, live together for 20-25 years and then divorce….Is this what she will learn from these celebrities these days?🙄🙄😬😬
— Anamika Soni (@SoniSoniSoni8) January 23, 2025
Westernization is the cause. It leads to forgetting our roots. The purpose of marriage in our culture is very different.
— Dr. Sugavanam Krishnan (@ksugavanam) January 24, 2025
We are adopting western culture too fast! Marriages & compromises, family oriented approaches don’t last long in the current generation. Sad but true. Unless we adopt our cultural roots, the future looks doomed. The continued attack on our cultural values is getting rewarded.
— Sujitt Kulkarni 🇮🇳 (@sujit2809) January 24, 2025
Divorce has become a hobby for celebrities wrongly influencing normal people
— Bharath (@bharatha_93) January 24, 2025
Instead of mourning failed marriages, maybe it’s time we start celebrating the courage it takes to walk away from an unhappy one. We wish both Virender Sehwag and Aarti Ahlawat strength.