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A Lucknow-based influencer with over 8 lakh followers was found dead at her in-laws' home. Her family alleges she faced continuous dowry harassment, claiming that despite giving Rs. 7 lakh in cash and household items during the marriage, her husband's family kept demanding a car.

Her case emerged alongside several other alleged dowry-death cases reported within days of each other, including women from Lucknow and Rajasthan whose families also claimed they were harassed over demands for cars, cash, and other gifts.

Police have registered cases in multiple instances, and investigations are underway.

What makes these stories especially disturbing is how familiar the allegations sound. Different families, different cities, but often the same pattern: demands that continue long after the wedding.

Despite being illegal for decades, dowry-related deaths and harassment cases continue to be reported across India every year.

Why do you think dowry persists despite laws, education, and growing public awareness? Has society normalised it in ways we don't always acknowledge?

Content creator Ankush Bahuguna said he faced homophobic harassment while walking on the streets of London.

In a video shared online, groups of men can allegedly be heard heckling him over his pink outfit.

Bahuguna later said the comments continued throughout the day whenever he crossed groups of men and boys.

What stood out to him, he said, was the contrast — while many women complimented his outfit, most of the harassment came from men.

He added that he wanted to respond, but felt intimidated and unsafe in a new country.

The incident sparked conversations online about masculinity, gender expression, and how men who dress differently are often targeted publicly.

Many creators, including Kusha Kapila and Prajakta Koli, supported him online.

This is not the first time Bahuguna has spoken about hate directed at him for wearing makeup or expressing himself differently.

Are men judged so harshly for expressing themselves differently?

A new Taliban rule in Afghanistan says the silence of a “virgin girl” can be treated as consent for marriage.

The decree is part of a wider system of restrictions that continues to shape everyday life for Afghan women under Taliban rule.

Girls above 12 are still barred from secondary school. Women are banned from universities in most cases, restricted from many jobs, and often expected to travel with a male guardian, or “mahram.”

In several areas, women also face strict dress codes and limitations on appearing in public spaces.

Another Taliban regulation introduced in 2026 reportedly allows husbands to physically punish wives and children as long as it does not leave visible severe injuries.

The Taliban says these laws are based on its interpretation of Sharia law. Human rights groups and UN officials, however, have repeatedly criticised the policies, warning they are stripping women of education, mobility, independence, and basic freedoms.

For many Afghan women and girls, the debate is no longer just about rights in theory, but about whether they can study, work, travel freely, or make choices about their own lives.

Can a society function fairly when women lose basic freedoms?

A police officer in Prayagraj recently helped crack a train robbery case.

But instead of talking about the arrests, social media focused on something else entirely — his body.

Comments mocking his weight flooded the internet, with users making jokes about his appearance rather than the police operation itself.

And this wasn’t an isolated case.

IPS officer Aparna Rajat Kaushik also faced a wave of body-shaming comments during a separate media interaction, to the point where police eventually turned off the comment section on the video.

In both cases, the conversation shifted away from their work and toward their looks.

The officers had cleared some of the country’s toughest competitive exams and were doing their jobs publicly, yet online reactions reduced them to memes and body jokes.

Fat shaming isn’t harmless humour. Studies have repeatedly linked it to anxiety, low self-esteem, social withdrawal, and eating disorders.

Why do people focus more on looks than someone’s actual work?

Urvashi Rautela’s Cannes 2026 look, with a reported valuation of around Rs. 1500 Crore, designed by JoliPoli Couture, features crystal detailing and a sculpted silhouette.

According to details shared around the outfit, the gown took nearly five years to complete.

Thousands of crystals were strategically placed across the structure to create a reflective, almost liquid-like shimmer under camera flashes.

One of the biggest talking points was the falcon-inspired crystal crown, designed to symbolise power and vision. The headpiece alone reportedly took around eight months to craft.

She completed the look with Judith Leiber crystal minaudières, including a carousel-inspired piece with intricate horse detailing.

More details here: https://www.brut.media/in/articles/culture-lifestyle/cannes-film-festival/did-urvashi-rautela-just-wear-a-rs-1500-crore-look-at-cannes-2026

A Swedish couple recreating “Chunnari Chunnari” was not on everyone’s bingo card… but the internet is loving it.

Sweden-based creator Karl Svanberg recently went viral after recreating the iconic Bollywood dance number, complete with the red dupatta, dramatic expressions, and full Salman Khan energy.

Joining him was his wife, who people online quickly dubbed the real-life “Biwi No. 1.”

The duo regularly recreates Bollywood dance moments and has built a huge following online, with many viewers surprised by how accurately they capture the vibe.

Safe to say, Bollywood nostalgia travels far beyond India.

Which Bollywood song would you want foreigners to recreate next?

He told his parents he was buying a scooty.

Instead, he surprised them with a BMW.

Content creator Siddharth Bhadauria shared a video of revealing the car to his parents, who initially thought the key was for a remote or a two-wheeler.

The moment the car lights turned on, the surprise finally sank in.

Their reaction was a mix of shock, happiness, and immediate concern about how expensive it must have been.

Siddharth later said his parents spent their whole lives giving him everything — and he wanted to do something for them in return.

The video struck a chord online, especially with people who dream of one day giving back to their parents.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve done for your parents so far?

A wall covered with mirrors in Mysuru is going viral for an unusual reason.

After repeated cases of public urination near the city’s suburban bus stand, authorities installed mirrors and LED lights on the wall, hoping people would think twice before stopping there.

Officials said earlier signboards and warnings didn’t work.

The idea sparked mixed reactions online. Some called it a smart psychological hack, while others argued the bigger issue is the lack of clean and accessible public toilets.

The Mysuru City Corporation can impose on-the-spot fines for public urination, littering, and spitting.

Do you think solutions like this actually work, or do cities simply need better public sanitation infrastructure?

At the Met Gala, Isha Ambani showed up in a custom Gaurav Gupta ensemble that leaned heavily into heritage and high jewelry.

The standout? A diamond-studded blouse featuring over 1,800 carats of diamonds, along with emeralds, polki, and kundan many sourced from Nita Ambani’s personal collection.

One of the most striking details was a historic sarpech (turban ornament), originally from the Nizam of Hyderabad’s collection, set into the back of the outfit.

She paired it with layered diamond necklaces, including one featuring a 50-carat emerald, and a gold-woven sari with pichwai-inspired motifs and hand-painted detailing.

The look reportedly took over 1,200 hours and 25+ artisans to create.

She finished it with a jasmine-inspired hair piece and carried a mango-shaped artwork by Subodh Gupta.

Love it or not, it definitely got people talking.

New York’s Midtown saw something unusual on 24 April 24, a full-blown Indian wedding procession taking over the streets.

Dr. Avish Jain, a medical journalist, and Pankti Doshi, a genetic counsellor, celebrated their wedding with a traditional baraat on Fifth Avenue.

Dhol beats, dancing crowds, and guests in ethnic wear turned a busy NYC street into what looked like a scene straight out of an Indian wedding.

The couple said they had taken prior permission from city authorities, a requirement for any public procession in New York.

What stood out wasn’t just the scale, but how seamlessly a desi celebration unfolded in the middle of Manhattan.

Do you think such large processions should be allowed in busy cities?

An incident from Woodstock, Ontario has gone viral after a man was seen confronting and verbally abusing an elderly individual on the street.

In the video, the accused can be heard repeatedly asking, “What are you doing in my country?” while using abusive language.

The incident reportedly took place on 22 April, when the elderly man was walking on a sidewalk.

Police are now investigating the case as a hate-motivated assault.

While no physical injuries were reported, the video has sparked concern over rising instances of racial abuse in public spaces.

The suspect has since been arrested and is facing multiple charges.

Have you witnessed or experienced racism like this in public?

A Mumbai-based comedian recently shared how a frustrating experience on the metro led to something positive.

Earlier, he had pointed out that the station wasn’t fully wheelchair accessible — something many people with disabilities face daily.

Months later, he returned.

This time, things were different.

The ticket counter had been lowered to wheelchair level, making it easier to access and helping him avoid long queues.

For the first time, he was able to navigate the station, board the train, and complete his journey independently.

He described it as freedom.

India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates barrier-free public infrastructure. But in reality, accessibility is still inconsistent across cities.

This small change shows what’s possible, but also how much more needs to be done.

Are Indian cities doing enough for disabled commuters?

A UK-based traveller cycling from Delhi to Leh had an unexpected stop in Haryana.

While passing through a field in Panipat, he was approached by an elderly man who noticed the heat and insisted he come home for a glass of buttermilk.

What could’ve been a brief interaction turned into a small but meaningful moment of care.

The traveller later shared the experience, and the video quickly resonated with many — with people calling it a simple reminder of everyday kindness.

Sometimes, it’s not the journey, but the people you meet along the way that stay with you.

What’s a small act of kindness you’ve experienced while travelling?

A year ago, gunmen opened fire on tourists in Baisaran valley near Pahalgam, reportedly targeting people based on religion.

26 people lost their lives that day. But the impact didn’t stop there.

Pahalgam, a town that depends heavily on tourism, hasn’t been the same since.

I spent two days there speaking to pony riders, taxi drivers, hotel owners, and tourists — trying to understand what life looks like one year later.

The fear hasn’t fully gone away. The loss is still deeply felt.

I also met the family of a local man who was killed while trying to save tourists, and spoke to the wife of one of the victims.

What stood out wasn’t just the grief, but the resilience. People are still showing up, still working, still hoping things will get better.

The wounds are still there. But so is the will to move forward.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcsI9v08m68