All of us are very familiar with the system of dowry. This refers to a marriage practices especially in Hindu society where the family of bride exchange valuable items even cash with the grooms family. Often in news, we heard that many women die every year because of dowry abuse in India.Now-a-days this problem has created a lot of hues and cry in our country.
Marriage is one of the most sacred and holy ceremonies in our society but dowry made this ceremony a fearful one. Demanding of dowry is from the groom side, which was given to the family before and after marriage takes place. It has been noticed that, if the demands are unmet by the bride’s family, the grooms and his family tortured the bride which led the women mentally and physically abuse. We have often found that many women committed suicide. Some women are not strong or have shame to leave their family and they had to bear those tortures from her husband and his family. The dowry given to the groom and his family by the bride, but often it had been noticed, that the bride has no control of these assets even though it is the contribution from the bride’s side.
However, often it has been said that poverty is one of the factors that leads to demand for dowry and the lack of employment opportunity for young men. However, this is not true many educated family and well-established family of our society just do these injustice practices with their bride also. They have wealth, well settled then why do they do such crime. The greed for need of valuable items and money help them to do these. This system spread because the bride’s family agrees to pay for it and as such, it perpetuates the practice. Much news flashed daily on the TV or newspaper that women are burnt for this dowry. Their husband beats them like an animal. Many of them admitted to hospital. Some blackmail the family for money to ensure safety of the bride and parents had to meet their requirements because they think that children are their biggest assets for them and they cannot close their eyes when any injustice done with their children and so to save their girl from the torture they agree to give dowry. However, many families are there in this society who have not enough to pay for dowry then it’s a question from me whether their girl had to tolerate the torture or to save them they had to leave their family or give up their life?
Our govt took necessary steps to stop dowry. Certain law has come into force regarding this dowry. Those family who demand for the dowry will be punishable under sec 498A. However, women must be self-dependent and strong to face this situation and put their step forward to lodge a complaint if any injustice done to them. Then only society will get rid of dowry.It is a shame for our society. Let us all come forward, and remove these dowries forever from our society, and make it a healthy and happy society.