Srinagar, April 9 -- In Kashmir, marriage is no longer just about love, companionship, or commitment. It's about wealth, status, and extravagance. The emphasis has shifted from building a life together to proving a point to society, neighbors, and social media followers.

For a middle-class groom, the road to marriage is no less than a battle. He's expected to carry the weight of societal expectations, financial burdens, and outdated customs. He's doing all this while trying to start a new chapter in life.

It begins with the pressure to secure a government job. Without it, the boy is labeled unworthy and incapable of supporting a wife. But that's just the beginning. He must also have a car, a large home, a thriving business, and an untar...