Are These Murders Really About Love, Or An Eye-Opener Exposing The Marriage System? | Opinion

In the investigation on the cases where females, wife's kill their husbands, say that they share one disturbing similarity: the accused allegedly wanted to be with someone else.

The alleged murders of Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya, Ketan Agarwal in Maharashtra, and Saurabh Rajput in the Blue Drum case have shocked the country. While each case is different and the accused will face trial separately, they have reignited a larger debate-not just about crime, but about the institution of marriage itself.

The easy conclusion is to blame love affairs. But perhaps the harder question is this: Why are some people entering marriages they do not want in the first place?

Is 20 Too Young to Decide on Marriage?

Note: Siya Goyal is 20 years old. Ketan Agarwal was 26.

Legally, a 20-year-old woman in India is old enough to marry. Millions of women have married at that age and built successful, loving families. Age alone cannot explain what happened.

The more important question is whether a person is emotionally prepared for marriage.
Marriage is not merely a social ceremony. It is a lifelong commitment involving emotional maturity, financial understanding, mutual respect, and informed consent. Someone may be legally an adult yet still feel unprepared for such responsibility. Being legally eligible to marry is not always the same as being emotionally ready to do so.

The Problem May Not Be Age. It May Be Consent !

Across many Indian families, marriages are still shaped by family expectations, social status, community preferences, and timelines.

Sometimes young people struggle to say, "I don't want this marriage."
They fear disappointing their parents, damaging family relationships, or becoming the subject of social gossip.

Most people eventually communicate their concerns and either proceed willingly or end the relationship peacefully. But when communication completely breaks down, the consequences can become devastating.

If the allegations in the recent cases are true, the real tragedy is not simply that relationships failed. It is that violence allegedly became the chosen solution instead of honesty.

Calling Off a Wedding Should Never Be More Difficult Than Walking Away

Broken engagements are painful. Divorces are emotionally exhausting. Families suffer, reputations may be affected, and financial losses can be significant.

But every one of those outcomes is infinitely better than losing a human life.

Indian society often treats cancelled weddings as public embarrassment. Perhaps that mindset needs to change.

Walking away from an incompatible marriage should never carry greater social pressure than entering one unwillingly.

Families Also Have a Role

Parents naturally want what they believe is best for their children.
However, in many households, conversations about compatibility, mental health, relationships, or doubts before marriage remain uncomfortable.

Instead of asking only whether the wedding venue has been booked or the guest list is finalised, families may also need to ask more difficult questions:

• Are both people genuinely willing to marry?
• Are they emotionally prepared?
• Is either person under pressure?
• Is there someone else in their life?
• Can they say "no" without fear?

These conversations may prevent heartache far more effectively than grand wedding preparations.

Cases With One Disturbing Pattern

The first case that drew nationwide attention was the alleged murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya. Police allege that his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, conspired with her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, and hired attackers to kill Raja just days after their wedding. Investigators claim the honeymoon was used as a cover to execute a carefully planned murder, although the allegations will ultimately be tested in court.

The second case is the Muskan Rastogi "Blue Drum" murder case. According to police, Muskan and her alleged partner, Sahil Shukla, murdered her husband, Saurabh Rajput, inside their home. Investigators allege that the body was later dismembered and hidden inside a blue plastic drum in an attempt to conceal the crime. The disturbing nature of the allegations shocked the country and kept the case in national headlines for weeks.

The latest case involves Pune-based businessman Ketan Agarwal, who initially appeared to have died in a trekking accident at Lohagad Fort. However, investigators now allege that his fiancée, Siya Goyal, along with her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, planned his death and pushed him into a deep gorge to make the incident look like an accident.

Crime Is Always an Individual Choice

At the same time, it is important not to confuse explanation with justification.
Even if someone feels trapped in a relationship, there are lawful choices: ending an engagement, seeking counselling, separating, or filing for divorce after marriage.
Violence is never an acceptable solution.

If the allegations in these cases are proven in court, the responsibility for those crimes will rest with the individuals involved-not with marriage itself.

Beyond the Headlines

The recent murder investigations have captured national attention because of their shocking allegations. But once the headlines fade, the larger questions will remain. Perhaps the lesson is not that young people should stop marrying at 20 or 21.

Perhaps the lesson is that society should stop treating marriage as a commitment that cannot be questioned. A wedding can always be cancelled. A relationship can always end. A marriage can legally be dissolved.

But the reality stays -a life, once taken, cannot be brought back.