The recent series of deaths about dowry issues in Kerala has sent shock waves tearing through the world. Even though it was painful news for everyone, it had sparked a conversation related to the effective implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. For effective implementation of any law or act, we as a society play a huge role.
Amid this current scenario, I would like to share a personal incident that happened when I was in school. During one of my classes, I asked my respective subject teacher a doubt related to the concept she was teaching. For ease of explaining, she used the example of marriage and dowry. Initially, she asked me whether my parents will give dowry to the man I will be marrying. In reply, I said a simple “NO” and kindly she started explaining why dowry is necessary for marriage as an institution. It was suffocating to listen to. But I bore it all along, and I will never forget her explanation of dowry till my last breath.
I want the whole world to know the most absurd explanation of dowry I have ever heard. So I’m quoting her here, “After her marriage, a girl will start living in her husband’s house and will start using every asset there (which her husband’s parents earned). So, as she will be using the assets which do not belong to her, her parents will pay money, in advance, to her in-laws – which is DOWRY“.
Considering this just as an incident in a corner of the world is complete insanity. This is what some teachers instill in the young minds, along with the syllabus to be taught. Removing unacceptable lessons embedded in our minds during childhood becomes harder, as we grow older. We should call those people out, who spread these ideas.
But there is a ray of hope in this matter. When I had a conversation with one of my cousins, she shared with me what her parents told her about getting married. They said that they are ready to invest huge amounts in her education, but she will have to bear the expenses of her marriage. This is a great example of how our society is evolving into an open-minded, cultured, and educated society.
You might be thinking now, what can I do in this matter?. If each person reading this decides to not ask for or give dowry and also to convince others that dowry is a social evil, this initiative will flourish into a movement to curb the existence of the dowry system.
It is high time that the youth raise their voice and call people out who continue to be a part of this system, for the betterment of our posterity.