“Too many laws but too little justice” Mr. N.A. Palkhiwala has observed in his book “We the
people of India” that one of the failures of government in post constitution era in India has
been its failure to maintain law and order. This is specially applicable in case of women, who
are still treated inferior to men and discriminated inn society. To show a true evidence that
Indian women are still in opressesd state is dowry in marriages.
In Indian society, dowry is an old trend in which property and valuables are given by bride’s
family to bridegroom as consideration for marriage.The superstitious belief behind dowry is
that it is regarded as a vehicle for setting up a relation between husband’s and wife’s
family.Over the years women were not working or employed ,hence their economic value was
low and dowry originated as compensation.Dowry as compensation was taken for maintenance
of girl who was not on par with the household she was married into.Discrimination of women in
India begins at home.There are numerous custom and traditions which undermine the gains of
women and dominates them from time of their birth.Dowry demands are made before the
marriage and sometimes even after it to express discontent in social comparison to
neighbours.It is mostly demanded in form of hard cash to expand business or cover marriage
expenses.Thereafter followed by household furniture and luxury goods.When the demands of
dowry are unfulfilled it leads to serious consequence for the young bride.It may be in the form
that daughter-in- law is not allowed to speak to her own family or only under the
supervision,not permitted to speak to neighbours or attend social function.The violation may
be in form of quarrelling,beating,taunting,harassing,blackmailing or mental torture.To add
on,even when parents are aware of the violence against their daughter,the irony is that they
persuade them to bear it patiently.
Violence against women is increasing in India.The practice of dowry has been stable and
thousands of women are murdered every year by their husband because the dowry doesn’t
provide them the social status which they desired.An estimated six thousand women are killed
every year but the figure is more likely to undermine the real picture as majority of murders do
not get registered.At present dowry has become the easiest way to acquire wealth and reach a
high socio-economic status.As a result it has become a major problem for the present
generation and their parents who belong to middle and salaried class.Dowry which was initially
given as token of love and affection has now become a financial obstacle to marriage.The
practice has become a rigid custom that is strictly followed.
The best change in Indian social life was in status of women.Women not only broke the barriers
of “purdah system’’and received education but also participated in social and political issues
and claimed their rights as citizens.The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1984 was enacted to eradicate
the practice of dowry.It prescribes a minimum punishment of two years imprisonment and
fine to anyone demanding dowry.To add more teeth to dowry prevention laws,Government
decided to make it mandatory for couples to make list of gifts exchanged during ceremonies of
marriage.Even though numerous laws have been enacted from time to time to raise the status
of women,these have merely been on paper due to lack of effective publicity and proper
utilization.There must be awareness camps in rural areas to make people efficient in handling
any kind of problem related to the enacted and enforced laws.As a citizen we must try to be
updated with Acts laid down by Government and utilize when there is a dire need of it.
