Dowry Prohibition Act was enacted on 1st May 1961. Any form of seeking for dowry by anyone was declared a crime. The law required everyone to refrain from asking for dowries before marriage. But how effective has it been all these years? Let us take a quick look at it!
The system of dowry
In India, the system of dowry was prevalent very strongly. The concept of dowry not only demeaned the family of the bride but also showed her just as a commodity. The number of outlandish claims made by the groom’s side depended on several factors.
It made the girl think of herself as a commodity. The dowry was then bargained by both the families as if she was some commodity that was being sold and bought! This system of dowry was a chain system. Like the person blaming the system during his daughter’s marriage would repeat the same wrong on her son’s marriage. And the justification laid in the fact that it was the ‘usual practice’.
Changes after the Law
Though on the ground level, the picture has changed a little. Previously they used to give gifts instead of money. The changes are very subtle but there it has surely been!
Our responsibility as a citizen of India and also as this new generation is to end this hideous system of oppression and focus more on the happiness content involved in the marriages!
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