Srinagar, Aug. 23 -- She had dreamed of stability and companionship, but the marriage collapsed within six months. She came back home carrying betrayal and a divorce.

What lingered longer than heartbreak was the judgment of relatives and neighbours.

Seven years later, the thought of remarriage still feels distant.

Her experience reflects a wider shift in Kashmir, where young people are grappling with uncertainty, heavy wedding expenses, and shifting social expectations.

Unemployment among men stands at 17.4 percent, making many reluctant to marry until they feel financially secure. Families, meanwhile, struggle with the weight of dowries and extravagant ceremonies.

Divorce, once rare, is steadily rising, signaling changes in how peop...