Dowry System in India


"Proper education is the proper dowry of a girl."

The newspapers, magazines these days, abound with stories of women burnt to death by their in-laws for the sake of dowry. The number of dowry deaths is increasing day by day. Actually, it was only a social custom to give some assets to the girl at the time of her marriage. It was a token of love and affection for their daughter. But how sad! over the years it has become a major social menace. So it has become the burning topic of the day.

The Dowry Prohibition Act has been operating as a legal force since 1961. The government of India accepted the recommendations of the commission on the status of women with regard to end the dowry system. Rules of conduct applicable to the government employees have been amended to make the acceptance of dowry action a breach of conduct. At present this rule is applied more widely and the practice of taking dowry has been made an offense under the general law.

No doubt we boast of elevating the position of Indian women after partition, but in reality, she has been made a mere slave. She may be educated or illiterate; her place is in the kitchen. She has not been made to look beyond the kitchen. The burning of brides has been taking place as the law is not helpful. Psychologically it shows the greedy nature of a man.

The dowry has degraded the status of women. She remains neglected throughout her life.

Everyone is worried about the fate of brides in India. There are serials on television about the burning of brides. Once a Supreme Court Judge remarked, "I will register a case against a person even if I get the information on a simple postcard." Such alarming is the situation in our country. In the Indian Penal Code, it is punishable by seven years imprisonment which would be extended to a life term. In addition to it, certain states have also passed bills against the dowry system.

The dowry system will come to end only if efforts are made by the society itself. Law alone is not an effective weapon of fighting this vice what is needed is the social awakening especially among women. It is shocking to see that even educated women do not fight and struggle against this problem. They remain silent. Silence means acceptance. It is time women should be bold enough to combat the devilish problem.