SHOCKING: UP Woman Dies By Suicide After Menstruation Prevents Navratri Participation

Priyansha Soni, 36, had been eagerly preparing to celebrate Chaitra Navratri and worship the goddess Durga.

The day before the nine-day festival was due to commence, she asked her husband, Mukesh Soni, to gather all the necessary items for the pooja.

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Flowers, fruits, sweets, oil lamps, and grains - everything had been arranged to welcome the goddess. However, on 30th March, the first day of Navratri, Priyansha began her menstrual cycle and felt unable to participate in the prayers.

In many traditions, menstruating women are discouraged from taking part in religious rituals, as the period is often regarded as impure.

A resident of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, Priyansha was heartbroken. She reportedly consumed poison and later died by suicide.

"Priyansha had been looking forward to Navratri all year, and when the time came, she couldn't fast or offer prayers due to her periods," said her husband.

"She was anxious about who would take over the rituals and how things would proceed. I tried to comfort her and explain that menstruation is a natural, monthly occurrence. I offered to perform the rituals in her place, but she remained deeply upset," he added.

After Priyansha left for work, she broke down in tears, prompting Mukesh to return home to console her. However, after he left the house a second time, she allegedly consumed poison and was rushed to hospital.

"She told me, 'I've made a mistake'," said Mukesh.

Following her discharge, she was taken to her parents' home in the hope that a change of environment would improve her mental state.

Unfortunately, her condition worsened, and she was re-admitted to hospital.

"Around 2:30 in the morning, she began vomiting and complained of back pain, which I assumed was due to her periods. I took her to the civil hospital. Things seemed stable at first. The next day, around 1:30pm, she asked me to have something to eat. When I said I wasn't hungry and didn't want to leave her alone, she insisted I fetch juice for us both. But by the time I returned, she had been placed on oxygen support, and within 15-20 minutes, she passed away," he said.

She leaves behind her husband and their two daughters - three-year-old Janvi and two-year-old Manvi.

If you need support or know someone who is battling suicidal thoughts, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.

Helplines:

Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health 9999666555 or [email protected]

TISS iCall 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm)