DOWRY

 

Dowry is a social evil in society that has caused unimaginable tortures and crimes towards women and polluted the Indian marital system. Dowry is payment made in cash or kind to a bride’s in-laws at the time of her marriage.

Today the government has come up with many laws (The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961) and reforms, not only to eradicate the dowry system, but also to uplift the status of the girl child by bringing in many schemes. However, owing to the social nature of this problem, the legislation has failed to produce the desired results in our society. In order to get rid of this problem, appealing to the social and moral consciousness of the people, providing education and economic independence for women, and effective enforcement of legislation against the dowry system, can help.

What People Think of Dowry System

Dowry is like suicidal bag for many people who are not very strong financially. It should be completely stopped from all the country wherever it is followed strongly, the government needs to take action in this so that no more crime takes place. In the modern era of India where people are reaching everywhere and achieving many things but still in many populations our thinking against dowry is the same. Dowry system varies from state to state and also on the job profile of the groom. If we see in the north part of the country the groom having government job, doctor or engineer than dowry is huge in terms of money, and like the south part of the country, the bride is forced to give dowry in terms of land, jewellery and money. We can say if you can give huge dowry you can get anyone for your daughter. In ancient times dowry was taken only from upper caste families, but now becoming universal for everyone. Still in India marriage is taken as a big grand celebration from both sides of the family by calling all the relatives and taking their complete care till the marriage happens even if the bride is having a good job or highly educated still the bride has to give dowry for marriage. Dowry is not voluntary which is made by the bride or groom, it is demanded from the groom's parents.

Why the Dowry System Should be Stopped?

The new dowry system is creating problems in society. Poor parents do not get any groom who will marry their daughter without taking dowry. They have to take “Marriage Loans” to get their daughter married. Dowry is becoming a nightmare for Women. The cases of infanticide are increasing. Poor parents do not have any other option. They cannot afford to have a girl child, and hence they are intentionally killing infant girl. More than 8000 women are killed because of Dowry! It is very clear that Dowry is creating violence. Groom’s parents are misusing this pure tradition. And they are not aware that they are misusing it, because they are not educated about the traditional dowry system. Everyone is just following the new dowry system blindly.

Conclusion

Dowry system is good unless and until it is considered as a gift given to the bride by her parents. If the groom’s parents are demanding money to get married as a “Dowry” then that is completely wrong and illegal.