It’s been over 60 years since the act of giving dowry has been prohibited in India. Today, dowry is passed off as a ‘gift to the daughter’ but given in the name of the son-in-law or a status symbol to boast about.
Recent dowry death exposes the underlying patriarchy in Kerala’s progressive facade. The death of BAMS student after facing dowry-related abuse at the hands of her husband provoked outrage in the country.
The State with the highest literacy rate and sex ratio is often touted as a progressive bastion in India. No amount of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,’ can save girls from the shackles of patriarchal expectations.
The practice of giving dowry needs to end and no other woman should suffer this fate. Marriage is not just a matter of showing family status and value.
What is given to the girl or how much is given should not be a measure of the greatness of the family. Those who think like that should remember that they are turning their children into commodities for sale.
Unless there are stringent laws, there cannot be a remedy for this menace.
