Society’s Attitude Towards Marriage Needs to Change, Says Sabeer Bhatia

Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia has criticised the tendency in Indian society to view marriage as a solution to personal and professional challenges. In a post on X, he pointed out that people are often advised to get married when they are struggling with depression, unemployment, career difficulties or dissatisfaction with life. Questioning this mindset, Bhatia compared marriage to a “magical laddu” that people believe can solve every problem.

Bhatia emphasised that marriage is a relationship, not a cure for life’s difficulties. His remarks challenge a long-standing social expectation in India, where marriage is often presented as the next step in life, regardless of a person’s emotional well-being, financial situation or career goals. His comments have sparked a broader conversation about social pressure, personal choices and the importance of addressing individual challenges rather than expecting marriage to resolve them.