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“Please Think About Men”: A Tragic Plea That Demands Our Attention

On February 24, 2025, a heartbreaking story emerged from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, that has left many of us reeling. Manav Sharma, a 25-year-old recruitment manager at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), took his own life, leaving behind a seven-minute video that has since gone viral. In this emotional recording, he blamed his wife for driving him to this extreme step and issued a poignant plea: “Please think about men.” His words, raw and desperate, have ignited a storm of reactions—grief, anger, and a call for introspection about the struggles men face in silence.

The Story Behind the Video
Manav Sharma’s life appeared promising on the surface. A young professional working with one of India’s leading IT firms, he was the only son of a retired Air Force officer and had been married for just a year. Yet, beneath this facade of stability, his personal life was unraveling. In his final video, Manav alleged that his wife, Nikita Sharma, had been harassing him, accusing her of infidelity and claiming she threatened him with false legal cases. His father, Narendra Kumar Sharma, corroborated these claims, stating that the marriage was fraught with frequent fights and coercion from Nikita.

Nikita, however, has denied these allegations. She described Manav as an alcoholic with a history of self-harm and claimed he had physically assaulted her during their tumultuous relationship. According to her, she had sought help from her in-laws, only to be dismissed. The truth of what happened between them may never be fully known, but what’s undeniable is the despair that led Manav to his breaking point.

A Cry for Men’s Struggles to Be Heard
“Please think about men.” These words, repeated in Manav’s video, are not just a personal lament—they’re a plea for society to acknowledge a reality often overlooked. Men, too, can be victims—of emotional distress, societal pressure, and, yes, even harassment. Manav spoke of feeling trapped, stating, “The law needs to protect men, or there will be a time when there will be no men left to blame.” His words echo a growing sentiment among some that legal and social systems are skewed, leaving men vulnerable in ways that are rarely discussed.

This isn’t an isolated incident. In recent months, similar cases—like that of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash—have surfaced, where men have cited harassment and a lack of support as reasons for taking their lives. These tragedies highlight a silent crisis: the mental health of men, compounded by societal expectations to “man up” and endure in silence.

The Bigger Picture: Mental Health and Gender
Manav’s story forces us to confront uncomfortable questions. Why are so many men suffering quietly? Why does seeking help still carry a stigma for them? And how do we balance the need to protect women with the reality that men, too, can be vulnerable?

Mental health statistics paint a grim picture. Globally, men are more likely to die by suicide than women, often because they’re less likely to seek help. In India, where cultural norms prize stoicism in men, this gap is even starker. Add to this the complexities of modern relationships—marital discord, infidelity, and legal battles—and the pressure can become unbearable.
Manav’s case also raises questions about the legal framework. He felt powerless, believing the law offered him no recourse. While laws like the Dowry Prohibition Act and Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code aim to protect women from abuse—a critical need given India’s history of gender-based violence—they’ve sometimes been misused, leaving men like Manav feeling cornered. The challenge lies in creating a system that protects all victims, regardless of gender, without bias or exploitation.

A Call for Compassion and Change
This isn’t about pitting men against women. It’s about recognizing that pain doesn’t discriminate by gender. Manav’s death is a loss—not just for his grieving parents, who described him as their “only hope,” but for a society that failed to hear his cry. Nikita, too, is part of this tragedy, caught in a narrative where her side remains contested and unresolved.

So, what can we do? First, we need to destigmatize mental health for men. Encourage open conversations where they can express vulnerability without fear of judgment. Second, we must push for gender-neutral laws and support systems—counseling, helplines, and legal aid—that address the needs of all individuals in distress. Finally, we need to listen. Manav’s final words weren’t just a plea for himself; they were a call for empathy toward countless others who feel unseen.

Thinking About Men—and Everyone Else
“Please think about men” isn’t a rejection of women’s struggles; it’s an invitation to broaden our compassion. As we mourn Manav Sharma, let’s honor his plea by fostering a world where no one—man or woman—feels so alone that death seems like the only escape. His video may have been his goodbye, but it can also be our wake-up call.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. In India, helplines like Sneha (044-24640050) and Vandrevala Foundation (9999666555) offer support. No one should suffer in silence.