Family disputes top cause of suicides in India

Intense emotional pain caused by domestic strife has emerged as the biggest reason for suicides in the country. Maharashtra ranked fourth in the number of suicides in the country in 2009 at 14,300.

As per the latest data with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 1.27 lakh suicides occurred across India in 2009, of which 58,192 were by married men and 31,300 by married women. 

Statistics revealed that 23.7% suicides were caused by dispute between married couples, 2.9% due to broken love affairs, 2.3% due to dowry disputes and another 2.3% due to drug abuse. NCRB data shows a rising trend in suicides due to domestic strife and drug abuse and a decline in suicides due to dowry harassment.

Recently, a South Indian family of four, including two sons and two aged parents, ended their lives by consuming poison at their residence in Bavdhan. The victims, in a signed five-page suicide note, blamed their daughter-in-law for having inflicted mental agony, following which they decided to end their lives.

Supriya Kothari, a founder member of Bhagini Helpline, said men commit suicide largely due to financial crisis, which indirectly impacts their domestic or personal life. “An economic crisis is the primary reason for men committing suicide,” she said.

Mahesh Kalge, spokesperson for All India Men’s Welfare Association (AIMWA) and Pune unit of Save India Family, claimed that more men commit suicide due to marital stress than their spouses.