Re: Sada Suhaagan Raho!
Firstly, this sada suhagan phrase is not even commonly used in Pakistan (at least not in Punjabi, Pashtun, Baloch, Kashmiri or Sairiki cultures). Hence the liberal use of the word ‘desi’ in this thread quite is bothersome (like always). The Subcontinet is a home for hundreds of different cultures, languages and ethnicities. It’s not necessary that entire population of South Asia (especially the contemporary Pakistani society) must carry the baggage and blame for every little shady practice and questionable deed of the past. We neither do karva chaut fast for long lives of our husbands (an occasion where this particular blessing is popularly given to women in Hindi speaking societies of India) nor Muslims practised sati, so I see no relevance in asking people to unnecessarily bear all the nasty burden of history or take all the blame practices that are part of totally different country/culture. Looking at the deep social, economic and legal inequalities in the country, it’s not at all difficult to understand why life as a widow (especially with children) was/is so feared. My heart goes out to all the orphans and widows in Pakistan and elsewhere because the state and the society have failed them.
Secondly, I highly doubt that phrase that literally translates as “stay (happily) married forever” would be taken as something that “promotes” fear of widowhood, at least not this day and age, where people are perhaps less paranoid, insecure and superstitious than their ancestors.