Imagine being married into a fraternity that leaves you anxious every time your partner gets deployed. With every separation, the absence of your spouse not only leaves you emotionally drained but carries you further into the trenches of existential crisis. To fill that void, imagine pursuing a career tailored to suit your unpredictable circumstances and yet getting reviled merely for existing. That is the stark reality of many Army wives today facing the wrath of constant judgments, a barrage of superfluous criticism and resentment for getting married to olive greens.
Recently, ThePrint published an article covering a few Army wives who have embraced the art of creating content as fully fledged careers, carving a niche into the digital world of food, fashion and décor. Pretty much akin to what the usual influencer culture is all about. On the surface, it’s an inspiring story of perseverance and re-invention, something that was celebratory to many. However, the vitriol in the comment section, the scathing remarks under the post coming from both women and men are a testimony to the fact that hatred will dwell in any form and continue to find a fertile ground of envy and insecurity.
Accusations of elitism, usage of perks and privileges to further their content, and leveraging military perks akin to other government jobs are hurled at these women. Irony dies a hundred times when the very themes they showcase are staples of mainstream instagram culture — style, cuisine and travel. Yet when showcased by a woman collaborating with a brand draped in a sari, it suddenly becomes a symbol of provocation.
One particularly disturbing incident involved a woman publicly humiliating a fellow Army spouse and threatening her in a vile manner. The justification? She felt powerless when confronted with being bitter to her own fraternity. This isn’t just toxic, it’s dangerous. Likewise, many famous bloggers have been subjected to wild innuendos and expletives ranging from “gold diggers” and “trophy wives” to “leeches” and whatnot. The question arises: why must a woman pay such a steep, nerve-racking price for simply being part of an organisation and in quest of joys in simple creative pursuits.
Also read: Fauji wife 2.0—Army spouses are turning ‘sarkari ghar’ lifestyle into online careers
What is more astounding is the fact that the majority of this hostility comes from other women. The age-old adage that women bring each other down finds a disturbing validation in every thread, every post that is even remotely related to Army wives. These remarks reek of latent jealousy, inbred insecurity and solely aimed at bringing them down and painting their lives in the hues of disgrace.
It gets worse when they casually get labelled as cheaters, with many people using the age-old sexist Hindi proverb, “Pati fauj mein aur biwi mauj mein”. This mentality highlights the obnoxious mindset of a large section of society that sees women in an ignominious way, no matter how well they strive to do in their lives. Let’s not forget: these fauji wives are already navigating deeply complex personal landscapes — pregnancy, ageing in-laws, frequency of sudden relocations, and the usual heart-breaking phases of separation, sometimes fuelled by nothing but improbability. In this scenario, if some of them choose to channelise their creativity into content creation, without harming anyone while respecting the ethos and guidelines of the organisation, why should they be warranted to such repugnant remarks?
The article published in ThePrint on 1 September 2025 wasn’t a glorification of Army wives or written to put them on a higher pedestal. The spotlight was on how social media can be used as a viable income tool for people who cannot commit to traditional career roles and also as a smart means to utilise their creative instincts. It had nothing to do with entitlement, but rather spoke of adaptability, resilience, and living life on your own terms. Behind every screen is a person — a woman, a mother, a wife — someone who is grappling with abject loneliness, ambiguity and a heavy weight of societal expectations.
So the next time you see a post featuring a sari-clad woman at a party or a travel reel from an unknown location, ask yourself — how does her joy threaten yours? If a chiffon sari soiree can rattle a section of people who just see the often short-lived glamorous side, perhaps the issue isn’t the sari or the pearls — it’s the mirror.
The author is an Army wife who wants to remain anonymous.
Editor’s note: We know the writer well and only allow anonymity when we do so.
Let’s be honest over here yes it is tough as the jobs of their spouses are in a difficult places. But they still live a better life than majority of the people of this country and let’s not kid ourselves that it isn’t true. Also ask them how do they use the Sahayaks that are provided to them for their own personal chores. The benefits they get from the canteens and the parties they attend? Again, I am not saying that it isn’t tough but it is still better than majority of what people get. Also, I would suggest to stop calling yourself “army wives” and be proud of you can do and can achieve rather than basing your entire personality on it