In a brave attempt to challenge the deeply ingrained dowry system in India, a 27-year-old teacher from Bhopal, Gunjan Tiwari (name changed), has initiated a petition requesting police intervention to crack down on the practice. Despite being illegal since 1961, dowries remain prevalent in Indian marriages, placing a burden on the bride's family to provide cash, clothes, and jewelry to the groom's family.
According to BBC, Gunjan's petition aims to eradicate this "social evil" by urging the police to deploy officers at marriage venues and conduct raids to deter the exchange of dowries.
Gunjan's motivation comes from her personal experiences of having numerous suitors reject her because she refused to take part in dowry arrangements.
Gunjan recalled a recent incident from February in which she served tea to potential suitors and their families while sensing their piercing gazes. Her parents had previously inquired about the dowry expectations, and it became apparent that a substantial sum was requested, accompanied by disparaging comments about Gunjan's physical appearance.
Rejected Suitors and Dowry Pressure Take a Toll on Young Woman's Confidence
Despite expressing her anti-dowry stance to a suitor who seemingly shared her beliefs, Gunjan was ultimately rejected. This led to strained relations with her mother, who blamed her daughter's refusal to conform for the unsuccessful match. Gunjan's story is not unique, as she and her father have encountered similar situations with numerous suitors, resulting in a loss of confidence for Gunjan and a sense of becoming a burden on her parents.
Disturbingly, despite the legal prohibition of dowries for over six decades, a recent study revealed that 90% of Indian marriages still involve dowry transactions, accumulating payments totaling a staggering quarter of a trillion dollars between 1950 and 1999. The practice also perpetuates gender inequality, with dowry-related violence and deaths becoming a tragic reality.
The National Crime Records Bureau reported that between 2017 and 2022, an average of 20 women were killed every day due to insufficient dowry. Furthermore, dowry-related pressures contribute to India's imbalanced gender ratio, with thousands of female fetuses aborted annually due to fears of the financial burden associated with daughters.
In her petition addressed to Harinarayan Chari Mishra, the police chief of Bhopal, Gunjan advocates for raiding wedding venues and apprehending individuals involved in dowry transactions to instill fear and effectively curb this cruel practice. She recently met with Mr. Mishra to seek support for her cause, and he expressed his commitment to ending dowry and providing assistance to women approaching the police. However, Mr. Mishra also emphasized the need for raising awareness and changing societal mindsets to combat dowry comprehensively.
Beyond Money: Dowry Creates Lifelong Domestic Violence and Abandonment
Women's rights activist Kavita Srivastava acknowledges the potential impact of police involvement but underscores the complexity of the issue, stating that better implementation of existing laws is essential. She highlights that dowries are often not one-time payments but rather a conduit for greedy groom's families to amass wealth continuously, leading to lifelong domestic violence and abandonment for brides who cannot meet the recurring demands.
Gunjan remains resolute in her decision to marry without participating in dowry exchanges. However, societal pressures and her family's desperation to find a suitable match create challenges. Gunjan's father actively searches matrimonial columns, networks with relatives, and participates in WhatsApp groups with thousands of members seeking suitable matches.
The desire for extravagant weddings demanding large dowries further compounds the difficulty, as Gunjan's father can only afford a fraction of the requested amount.
Gunjan's struggle against the dowry system highlights the need for a collective societal effort to challenge this deeply rooted practice. While police support is crucial, a comprehensive solution requires changing attitudes and raising awareness. Gunjan's courageous stance serves as an inspiration for young men and women to defy dowry expectations and reshape the future of Indian marriages.
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