Where are we heading as humans, as jounalists and most importantly as civilized city dwellers? Within a month, the Mahieka Sharma and Smriti Mandhana controversy proved that the popularity- and view-seeking journalism has degraded to such an extent that it's high time to call it out. The generation often brags about not being the next-door aunties who would gossip about the most unwanted, unbothered topics. And yet we gossiped about Smriti Mandhana's marriage. The lady who brought a smile to the entire nation after winning the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup gave high-profile gossip material within days. When her life faced some serious turbulence, several platforms brewed up unsolicited, unverified rumors. Even if that was true, was that really our business? The public didn't stop after raining fun tweets, and "I have a friend with super sources" claims. They literally banged that unknown lady who shared some old Insta chats on her story! Just imagine why on Earth someone would have to give an official declaration of her marriage, something very private and personal, being called off! People are comparing Mandhana's marriage to Virat Kohli's, who, despite being at his peak, never said a word about his marriage! Yet Virat Kohli and his wife, then girlfriend, Anushka Sharma, were spotted multiple times. And that's a totally different case study of what the sugarcoated term "public scrutiny" sounds like. Well, even if Mandhana had not followed the unsaid rule of a celebrity marriage, doesn't she have every right to hype her marriage and post on her social media account? Just pause for a while, if someone really thinks she gave content, because that not what everyone does! And the most absurd part of the entire social media is that influencers who love to link themselves with cricket and cricketers, who often tag themselves as those preaching common sense and empathy, started using the scenario as content! And so for the right to speak and express, she wasn't gossip-mongering on someone's life, like the entire social media did, and the media too, hoping to get a chunk of views for free! Breaking news appeared within seconds and a claim was made on social media. Booms ran after her family to get a bite on her marriage. And social media just made a story that would go nicely for any Sas-Bahu serials. Read also: The Biggest Ashes Controversies: Moments That Shocked Cricket Fans The Mahieka Sharma controversy Before the first T20I against South africa, the India all-rounder Hardik Pandya lashed out at the paparazzis for harassing Mahieka Sharma, drooling over her to get a photo from the lowest angle. And the good part from them is that they managed to get that. Mahieka Sharma, who is a model by profession, became one of the most talked about personalities after her association with Hardik Pandya was made public. And as Hardik said, he has accepted the consequences of "living in the public eye comes with attention and scrutiny." But does that really justify lack of common sense and ethics in the name of professionalism? In the video that went viral, Mahieka Sharma was visibly uncomfortable with the way paps howled at her for a photo. She was standing at a staircase, which Hardik confirmed was of a restaurant's, and they did not wait for her to come down and pose. One must counter that she wasn't wearing an "APPROPRIATE" dress, which "ATTRACTED" them to get such photos of her. Well, just because someone walks without a helmet doesn’t mean it’s fair to smash their head! At this point, Jaya Bachchan really doesn't look like a wicked evil character! Because that's what these media or anyone deserves for these nasty antics.