From Sanitary Pad Expenses to a Hot Samosa: Trivial Disputes Are Tearing Apart Marriages

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Marriage, traditionally regarded as a bond meant to last a lifetime, is increasingly proving fragile in today’s fast-changing social landscape. In Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow, police stations and family courts are witnessing a steady rise in marital disputes—many of them triggered by seemingly trivial issues such as food preferences, clothing choices, daily expenses, and even sanitary pads.

Cases that were once resolved within the four walls of a home are now finding their way into police complaints and courtrooms. Officials say the growing intolerance and lack of communication between couples are pushing relationships to breaking point far sooner than before.

Family Courts Flooded With Cases

According to officials at the Family Court in Lucknow, nearly 50 to 60 cases are registered every day, most of them related to maintenance and marital discord. While many involve serious allegations, some cases have surprised even seasoned counselors due to the minor nature of the disputes that sparked them.

New Year Celebration Ends at Police Station

In a recent case from the Para Budheshwar area, a couple reached the women’s police station after a dispute over celebrating New Year’s Day. Married in 2024, the couple initially shared a normal relationship. However, tensions escalated when the wife wanted to go out on January 1, 2026, and the husband objected to her attire. The argument snowballed, eventually leading to allegations of dowry harassment and police intervention.

When a Hot Samosa Turned Cold Relations

About a year ago, a divorce petition reached the family court over an argument involving samosas. The wife alleged that her in-laws ordered samosas and ate them without even asking her. Investigations later revealed that the sister-in-law was merely reheating samosas brought the previous day, which the woman mistook as freshly ordered. The misunderstanding was later resolved through mutual compromise.

Disputes Over Meal Timings

Another case registered on December 10 drew attention when a young woman complained that she felt hungry early in the day, while her mother-in-law insisted on eating lunch only after 1 pm. Daily arguments over meal timings and the husband consistently siding with his mother left the woman emotionally distressed, prompting her to file for divorce.

Vegetarian vs Non-Vegetarian Conflict

Dietary habits have also emerged as a major flashpoint. In one case, a vegetarian woman struggled to adjust to her non-vegetarian in-laws after a love marriage. Despite repeated attempts at compromise, the differences remained irreconcilable, and the couple eventually separated by mutual consent.

Sanitary Pad Expenses and Taunts

In a particularly disturbing complaint from Atrauli, a woman alleged that her husband frequently taunted her over the expense of sanitary pads. She also claimed that her mother-in-law and sister-in-law made insensitive remarks about menstruation. The situation worsened when the husband objected to her not observing a religious fast, after which she approached the women’s police station seeking help.

Counseling Before Court

Hazratganj Women Police Station SHO Manju Pandey said that many people approach the police in anger, seeking immediate FIRs. “In several cases, interference from the woman’s parental family also plays a role. Some women arrive with multiple lawyers,” she said.

She added that the police prioritize counseling over legal action. “Counseling sessions are held at intervals of 10 to 15 days. Nearly 40% of cases are resolved at the police station itself. The remaining cases are referred to court mediation centers. Our effort is always to save the relationship before it reaches the courtroom.”

The rising number of such cases underscores a deeper social concern—shrinking patience, lack of empathy, and the inability to resolve everyday disagreements are increasingly pushing marriages toward collapse.