A spate of alleged dowry-related deaths in India prompted Ridhi Dogra to speak out. In a candid Instagram post, the ‘Jawan’ actor urged young women to educate themselves, build financial independence and stop romanticizing marriage while calling out unrealistic expectations on both sides. His message comes after two recent cases that shocked the country.Riddhi Dogra reacts to dowry deathsAddressing young women directly, Ridhi Dogra wrote, “Please stop romanticizing marriage. The age of your parents and the world they grew up in is over… Girls don’t need marriage to survive. For companionship. Yes. But not for dependence.”She also cautioned against placing unrealistic expectations on partners, “Girls, please don’t expect your boyfriends to turn into Mr. Prince Charming after marriage. They are also human and they are inventing this new world.’Her message made a strong call for self-reliance, adding: “Educate yourself. Live for yourself. And please stand up for yourself. Don’t expect anyone to come and stand up for you. Marry each other for love and respect.”Riddhi Dogra on feminism and equalityRidhi Dogra also pushed back against the distortion of feminist ideals, writing: “True feminism is nothing but equality. That’s it. Nothing more and nothing less. When I speak for girls I speak for boys too…Feminism was never about leaving men.” He concluded with a cultural reminder: “Shiv and Shakti are of the earth. Both go together.”The cases that sparked the conversationAccording to reports, on May 12, Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old model-turned-actress from Noida, was found hanging in her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area. Her family has alleged that she was harassed for dowry, and her in-laws say she was addicted to drugs.Separately, 24-year-old Deepika Nagar died last Sunday after falling from the terrace of her matrimonial home in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar. Her family alleged that she was murdered by her in-laws due to dowry demands and insisted that it was neither a suicide nor an accident.
