A young employee of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Manav Sharma, tragically ended his life on February 24, 2025, at his home in Agra, reportedly due to harassment from his wife. His death has reignited discussions around the often-overlooked mental health struggles faced by men.
Sharma, 27, was found hanging, and prior to his death, he recorded nearly seven minutes of emotional footage. The heart-wrenching video was later discovered by his family and has since drawn significant attention. Sharma, visibly distressed and tearful, implored society to recognize the challenges men face, declaring, "Men need protection too. If things continue this way, there will come a time when men won’t be left, when there will be no one left to take the blame."
According to reports, the young man had been married for just over a year. His family alleges his suicide was prompted by his wife, Nikita Sharma, claiming she harassed him and was unfaithful. Manav shared his plight with painful vulnerability, stating, "Dad, I’m sorry. Mom, I’m sorry. But understand this—once I’m gone, everything will be fine. Everything will get mejor after my death. Let me go..."
Initial claims about the circumstances leading to his death suggest considerable strain within the couple's marriage. Nikita has since denied accusations of harassment, asserting instead her husband struggled with alcohol addiction and had been violent at times. She reportedly stated, "He used to drink excessively and had attempted suicide multiple times. I saved him three times."
The layered relationship dynamics present during this tragedy led authorities to investigate the claims made by both parties. With no arrests made following the incident, police officials are delving deeply to ascertain the reality behind the accusations and the impact it had on Sharma. Agra’s Assistant Superintendent of Police, Vinayak Gopal, emphasized their findings, noting, "He (Manav) was discovered deceased after our investigation revealed he had ended his life by hanging. His phone was locked, but we managed to recover the video upon accessing it."
The video recording highlighted not just personal despair but also highlighted societal neglect. With tears streaming down his face, Sharma expressed, "Someone please talk about men. They are lonely." These poignant words came as he alluded to his previous suicide attempts, declaring, "I have always been a quitter. I have tried to end my life multiple times before."
The public response to Sharma’s suicide has triggered substantial dialogue on the mental health of men caught within failing relationships, emphasizing the urgent need for societal support. Friends and family expressed shock over the circumstances leading to his untimely death, raising questions about how such issues are handled, or more often, poorly addressed within the community.
Following the incident, it became known the Sharma family initially sought assistance from local police but faced challenges when they were told the officers were preoccupied with Maha Shivratri festivities. Unfortunately, this negligence potentially delayed intervention during a desperate time.
Sharma’s story has unfortunately drawn comparisons to another incident involving Atul Subhash, who also died by suicide after alleging similar harassment issues within his marriage. This repeated occurrence has generated calls for increased awareness and resources to help individuals who may find themselves facing similar distressing situations.
Even during the height of despair, Manav chose to express his views about the emotional challenges men endure, culminating not just as cries for help but as important notices for society's blind spots related to male mental health. "Let me share my situation. It’s the same as many others… I found out my wife was sleeping with someone else. But never mind, let it be," he revealed with palpable sadness.
The harsh reality remains: mental health struggles are often stigmatized, particularly for men who feel pressured to endure silently. Sharma’s tragic choice spotlights the urgent need to address these societal issues. Support systems for mental health must reach beyond stereotypes and prejudices to adequately hear and assist those—men included—who find themselves with nowhere to turn.
If you or someone you know requires help, please reach out to the following helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, and many others available across the country. It is imperative to take mental health concerns seriously and to speak up.