Vashistha had faced mental, physical, and emotional distress at her matrimonial home. Despite the birth of a son, the situation did not improve, prompting Pranita to file for divorce in the Meerut family court.
In Uttar Pradesh, a man turned the concept of a ‘baraat’ on its head by organising a celebratory procession to welcome his divorced daughter back home. A ‘baraat’ is traditionally a groom’s procession to the bride’s house for the wedding. Divorce remains a taboo in India and is often not widely accepted, but a family in Meerut chose to mark their daughter’s divorce with celebration rather than silence.
‘I Love My Daughter’
Retired judge Gyanendra Kumar Sharma celebrated the return of his only daughter, Pranita Vashistha, with drums, garlands and sweets. Family members dressed in black T-shirts bearing the message “I Love My Daughter”.
Vashistha had faced mental, physical, and emotional distress at her matrimonial home, news agency PTI reported.
Despite the birth of a son, the situation did not improve, prompting Pranita to file for divorce in the Meerut family court.
‘If my daughter is not happy in marriage, it is my duty to bring her out of that environment’
According to her counsel, Rajeev Giri and Naseeb Saifi, Pranita married an Army Major from Shahjahanpur on December 19, 2018.
She was granted a divorce on Saturday, and soon after the court’s decision, the family turned the moment into a celebration.
As Pranita walked out of the court complex, her relatives celebrated by dancing to drumbeats and accompanied her home in a lively procession.
“If my daughter is not happy in marriage, it is my duty to bring her out of that environment. We did not seek alimony or anything else
. I just brought my daughter back,” Dr Sharma told PTI.
He emphasised that daughters should not be treated as possessions, adding that their happiness and dignity must come before social pressures.
Pranita, who holds a postgraduate degree in Psychology, works as the finance director at Pranav Vashistha Judicial Academy in Tejgarhi. She is her parents’ only child, following the death of her brother Pranav Vashistha in a road accident in Chandigarh in 2022.
Speaking about her experience, Pranita said she had become mentally fragile during her marriage, but her family’s constant support helped her regain strength and move forward.
She also encouraged women facing abuse to speak out. “Stand up for yourself. Become strong, educate yourself, and be independent before thinking about marriage,” she said.
Residents in the area feel the family’s actions may help break long-standing taboos surrounding divorce and promote a more compassionate attitude towards women seeking dignity and independence.
(With inputs from news agency PTI)
About the Author
Kanishka Singharia
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity.
With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture.
She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes.
Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
