Dowry so called custom has been practiced in our country since very long time. In the name of custom and marriage, girls are sold and exploited in exchange of precious gifts and money.
Earlier marriage was considered as a religious pledge. Fathers would give their daughter some gifts with love. They would gift clothes, utensils, ornaments etc..... These were given just as a symbol of love. It was father's wish to gift his daughter whatever he could. In laws of girls never demanded anything. They would get pleased and satisfied with whatever they were offered. They were contented people.
Today, dowry has become a curse. Young girls are sold in the name of marriage. If bridegroom sides do not get precious gifts, cash, they don't accept easily to marry the girl. Father and other relatives collect money either by taking loan or by withdrawing the whole of their life income from banks just for marriage sake. Even after all these sacrifices, in-laws of girls do not feel contented. After marriage girl is not kept happy, rather tortured and humiliated badly. Every morning newspapers come out with the death of women who are being hanged, murdered or committed suicide only because their fathers cold not meet the demands of bridegroom and his family. Thousands of young girls are exploited on day to day basis. Such is the horror of this dowry.
It seems that groom and his parents does not have enough confidence among themselves. They don't believe in themselves that they can earn well and spend it on their living. May be because of this, they demand dowry from girls parents. They in front of girls parents demonstrate themselves to be rich. They through show biz present their house equipped with all the modern day amenities of relaxation and pleasure. Thus the father of the girl whose eyes get sparkled looking at the modern day facilities gives dowry to bridegroom thinking his daughter would be kept happy amidst such facilities. If father doesn't give dowry, his daughter is tortured to such an extent that she is forced to die by hanging herself or by burning.
Consequences of dowry are very harmful. Parents of daughter are forced to take a debt. Their whole life they get buried under the pressure of debt. Girls get exploited and sometimes they may be forced to murder themselves. Thus parents of girl side become deprived of money as well as loses their girl.
It is not a custom. Dowry given in name of so called custom has to be eradicated. It is deep rooted. Efforts should be made to weaken the roots. It is a problem very intricate to be solved. It should be understood that it is as good as a curse. All the dowry receivers and dowry givers should be hated. Others should never support them and should not attend such marriage where dowry is given and taken. Young men should come out with a promise to marry without the ritual of dowry. They should have faith in themselves. They should believe in dignity of labor and feel proud about themselves to get luxuries earned by the money possessed by them after doing hard work and not by torturing their in-laws. Girls should become strong. They after being so well educated can't afford to become timid and bow down in front of the exploitation. There are many organizations which work in favor of protecting girls from being exploited by their husbands and in-laws in the name of dowry. Girls should take help from them. Dowry is illegal in our country and an act is passed against it and in support of women. If dowry is practiced anywhere should be brought into notice.
Though dowry is deep rooted curse and people sill consider it as an important custom and part of our culture, but if joint efforts are been made it could be totally eradicated from our society. Need of the hour is to stop the exploitation against women that is going on in the name of this custom. Let us all work together, become united and let us all come to our senses and take an oath that we will never give or accept dowry in any form or under any circumstances.