Social Evil -Dowry

From Green Group

DowryDowry  is the payment in cash or some kind of gifts given to a bridegroom's family along with the bride. Generally, they include cash, jewelry, electrical appliances, furniture, bedding, crockery, utensils and other household items that help the newlywed set up her home.The dowry system is thought to put great financial burden on the bride's family.

This has distorted the sex ratio of India (940 females per thousand males) and may have given rise to female foeticide.

`OThe trends regarding dowry in India

vary across the nation. Over the last few decades, there has been an observed transition from the bride price system, where wealth flows from the groom to the bride’s family, to the dowry system where wealth flows in the opposite direction. According to studies, areas in south India have traditionally practiced the bride price system, even among upper castes. In the north, societal differences in marriage led upper castes to practice a dowry system, while in lower classes bride price was more common.

O This is not only followed in India but, it is also Followed in many other countries such as Germany , Babylon , China etc.

Dowry law in India

O In India, the payment of a dowry has been prohibited since 1961 under Indian civil law. Subsequently, Sections 304B and 498A of the Indian Penal Code were enacted, making it easier for the wife to seek redress from harassment by the husband's family

O Anti-dowry laws have been criticized by men's rights groups and Supreme Court of India, who accuse women and their families of misusing the laws.

THE DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT, 1961

O In this act, `dowry’ means any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly-

O (a) by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage; or

O (b) by the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person;

O at or before or any time after the marriage in connection with the marriage of said parties but does not include dower or mahr in the case of persons to whom the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) applies.

Penalty for giving or taking dowry

O If any person, after the commencement of this Act, gives or takes or abets the giving or taking of dowry, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years, and with the fine which shall not be less than fifteen thousand rupees or the amount of the value of such dowry, whichever is more:

O Provided that the Court may, for adequate and special reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than five years.

Victim Of DowryO In June 2003, Nisha Sharma’s parents arranged her

marriage to Munish Dalal. Twenty one year old Nisha was a software engineer based in Delhi. Mush against Nisha’s wishes her father had agreed to give Munish Dalal and his family a hefty dowry.

O Despite this, on the day of the marriage, the groom’s family made fresh demands for money from the bride’s father. They threatened to call off the marriage unless their demands were meet. Though hurt and shocked, Nisha stood strong. She called the police and had Mr Dalal and his family arrested for demanding dowry.

O If convicted by a court, the penalty for demanding dowry is a maximum of 10 years in prison. Misha’s act of courage has inspired many women across the country to take a stand against dowry