‘Power of Money’ Slander Hits MP Couple Wedding

New Delhi, December 10, 2025: The joyous occasion of a Madhya Pradesh couple’s wedding was tragically overshadowed after their vibrant social media posts attracted a torrent of racist and misogynistic online abuse. The couple, who had been dating for 11 years before getting married last month, shared images and videos of their traditional ceremonies, hoping to celebrate their commitment. Instead, their happiness became a target for widespread online mockery.

The majority of the vile comments centered on the groom’s skin color. Trolls began posting “jokes and memes” that relentlessly criticised and derided his complexion. The groom, Rishabh Rajput, expressed his shock and disappointment, telling a media outlet, “It was our moment and we had waited for it so many years. It was supposed to be a happy moment, but when I saw people’s reactions, I was really shocked.”

The bride, Sonali Chouksey, was also subjected to rampant online abuse. Many commenters jumped to the unfair and unfounded conclusion that she had only married the groom “for his money,” using the phrase “power of money” to explain the union. This deeply misogynistic narrative suggests that a fair-skinned woman could not genuinely fall in love with a darker-skinned man without a financial motive. “You think – is this is how people are perceiving us? When they say nasty things about him or call me a gold-digger, it irritates me,” the bride said, highlighting the distress caused by the baseless attacks.

In a powerful act of defiance against the bullies, the groom took to Instagram to issue a direct statement. He addressed the “gold-digger” narrative head-on, writing, “Sorry to disappoint you. I’m not a government employee, but I work hard for my family and want to give them a good, dignified life.” More importantly, he underlined the foundation of their 11-year relationship: “From college till today, she has stood with me through every good and bad moment. People’s negative opinions mean nothing to me.”

This incident is a stark reminder of the deep-seated prejudice surrounding skin color, often termed ‘colorism,’ which remains prevalent in parts of Indian society and is amplified by the anonymity of social media. The couple’s painful experience shows how rapidly a private celebration can turn into a public platform for hate. While many on social media quickly condemned the racist and sexist attacks, this couple’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the toxic environment that thrives online. Despite the negativity, the couple’s strong, unified response reaffirms their love and commitment, proving that the ‘power of money’ has nothing on the power of a loving relationship.