A job is merely a means to survive physically. To survive emotionally, one needs peace at home. After a long and tiring day, a person returns to their nest hoping for peace and warmth. If that home becomes a battlefield, all wealth and power begin to lose their meaning. The tragic end of Palash Saha’s life perhaps leaves society with a profound message. The note he left behind before taking his own life hinted at persistent family conflict. A man’s life was lost—caught in the age-old clash between wife and mother-in-law.
When a man is caught between his mother and his wife—both refusing to back down—the pressure can become unbearable. If just one of them is difficult, he may still find a way to survive. But when both push equally hard, for some men, death seems like the only escape. Palash Saha had the courage to end his life. Others, less bold, live on—quietly suffering, trading their happiness for a life full of sorrow.
In rural settings, some men can assert control over their households. In such cases, he can yell at his wife, scold his mother, or simply walk away and build his peace elsewhere. But an educated, socially respected man doesn’t always have those options. Social expectations demand that he bear the burdens quietly, accept the unreasonable, and suppress his voice. The depth of cruelty people are capable of—especially behind closed doors—is sometimes beyond imagination. Only God truly knows the pain such men carry. It takes unimaginable inner torment for a man in Palash Saha’s position—a senior ASP, an accomplished individual—to decide on suicide. That kind of decision is never made lightly. When all exits are closed, only the path toward the grave remains.
Couldn’t his mother and wife have shown a little more empathy? We don’t know who was truly at fault. But based on his note, it seems clear that neither of them made space for peace. Perhaps his mother believed she had full authority over her son. Perhaps his wife thought that since he was her husband, he owed everything to her. We may never know the full truth. But this much is certain: a man doesn’t die over small pains. Palash Saha had a future—a life filled with promise, position, and prestige. Would he not have wanted to live? Everyone wants to live. But when all doors close, only one remains open—the one no one wishes to take.
Yes, we’re upset with Palash Saha. Perhaps he should have thought longer. A well-educated man of strength and honor should have fought harder to stay. No one gets a second life. Suicide often ends a temporary problem with a permanent solution. Men must learn to build stronger mental resilience. Even the greatest among us carry sorrow. Loved ones will hurt you, but they also offer comfort. Enemies will strike, but friends will stand by your side too. If only, before taking such a step, one would consider their duty to their country, their parents, and the promises made to loved ones—one life might be saved. When one person dies, many others are left mourning them while still breathing.
Let mothers and wives learn to understand the emotional world of married men. Within countless constraints, a man tries to meet everyone’s expectations—often at the cost of his own peace. If a wife thinks her mother-in-law is difficult, perhaps she could pause and ask herself—how long does an elderly woman even have left? Men often tolerate much for the sake of their mothers. And not all mothers are saints—some can be deeply toxic. But the husband will still eventually return to his wife’s embrace. If women can acknowledge the emotional bandwidth and limits of their husbands and adjust accordingly, peace could return to many homes.
Happiness demands compromise. You cannot say: Forget everyone else—give everything to me. That kind of thinking only breeds discord. Now that Palash Saha is gone, his wife may inherit his gold, his mother his assets—but who will bring back his life? Value people while they’re still with you. Once they’re gone, you may be left only with guilt. Instead of endless blame and unrealistic expectations, let us learn to live with empathy. Let us let people live. Let us not let greed and ego replace our humanity.
