08-11-2017, 03:46 PM
One of the worst evils of Indian society is the dowry system. The word "dowry" means the property and money that a bride brings to her husband's house at the time of their marriage. It is a custom that prevails in all sections of our society in one way or another. At first it was voluntary, but later the social pressure was such that very few could escape from it.
The dowry at this time is a source of joy and curse in society. It is also a joy for the husband and his relatives to obtain cash, expensive clothing and utensils, furniture, bedding materials, etc. But it is a curse for the parents of the bride that they have to pay a huge cost to satisfy the irrational demands of the groom's party. A demand for dowry does not diminish even after marriage. The in-laws of the bride are very ready in Indian homes to inflict harassment, insults and torture, both mental and physical. When more pressure is exerted on the bride's parents, her beloved daughter has no choice but to commit suicide to avoid further insults and torture at the hands of the members of her husband's family.
This curse of Dowry System must be eradicated at any cost. Women from all walks of life, literate or illiterate, poor or rich, young or old must come together and defend their own honor and interest. Although the Government has enacted certain antidretras laws, these have not produced the desired results. The efforts of the people are also necessary if this evil is eliminated once and for all. The high expense of the marriage ceremony must be reduced.
Women must be empowered. Gender-based inequality should be completely abolished and the position of women in society should increase. Women must learn from childhood that their life is not useless without marriage.
Girls should have the opportunity to get education in schools. After completing school education, they should be encouraged to have higher education. Proper education of girls would be useful in educating girls and women about their rights. Your marriage age must be high. They should be encouraged to enter various fields of paid work, since their higher economic status also discourages dowry demands. The practice of mass marriage should be encouraged for the sake of the economy.