For decades after Independence. India has not recorded much social progress. Age old traditions are still followed rigorously. In spite of the fact that the world has registered so much of progress.
Indian women are still victims of outdated conventions and customs. The sati system which was followed by the Rajputs was brought to an end during British owing to its barbarity.
But the dowry system which is a blot on Indian society and democracy still persists. Though the Anti-Dowry Bill has been legislated; still it is far from being implemented in letter a spirit.
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Even to this day very large amount are given in case had kind so that it is possible to marry daughters to eligible bridegrooms.
The dowry system is not in consonance with the status which we wish to give to Indian women. Indian democracy demands that women should have equal status and equal importance with their male counterparts, not only in the domain of politics but in other fields as well.
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It we want the Indian woman to enjoy status it is imperative that she should be given a psychological feeling of boost she is equal to man. When demanded dowry is given at the time marriage, one feels it is an insult to Indian womanhood.
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The ill feeling lingers as it grievously represents that the girl given in marriage is not up to the mark.
As a result of which daughters do not consider themselves equal to their brothers in all respects. The feeling of inferiority manifests itself in many complex forms.
No one can deny the fact that financial help may at times in come cases help, but if the parents of the would-be bride are forced to meet high and unreasonable demands, it is nothing short of extortion.
It becomes conditional; otherwise the marriage is called-off. Many a time meeting the sky-high demands has caused ruin to the parents of the girl who have other children to marry too.
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Dowry, therefore, becomes a burden on the poor parents and in some cases marriage is considered to be an occasion for extricating as much money as it is possible from the other family.
Under such circumstances the whole concept of dowry becomes erroneous and a burden for the parents at the giving ends.
It is also a sort of avoidable psychological strain on the girl concerned and the elderly members of the family.
Owing to the prevalence of the dowry system, in recent years, a large number of divorce have been reported. The life of a human being is concerned cheaper than household furniture and equipment and our country has stooped very low in moral values.
At times dowry becomes a prestigious issue. In both the cases, the matter attains high coloured and ostentation. If the dowry system is allowed to prevail, the relations between families will be reduced to materialism.
There will be nothing left as moral ethics. In a closely knit social fabric there is a lot of interdependence and materialist norms have not much value. Stark materialism and warm human relation do not go hand in hand.
More the education more is the refinement in human beings. That is why highly educated families leave and give-and-take methodology to means and convenience.
Compatibility, good nature, looks, greater common background, and status are given more priority than money matters stretching the ceremonies to a good number of days.
The dowry system in the country can stand abolished more effectively be reasoning, sweet logic and persuasion than taking recourse to law and police force. Voluntary organisations have an important role to play in this context.
Women social organisation should espouse the cause of girls and make the people realise that marriage is completely different from business propositions.
The government in saddle should also seriously address itself towards curbing the social malady.
The government should also implement the laws of the land concerning dowry with greater vigour and earnestness to curb the social exploitation once for all.
All said and done, the bad custom deserves to be eliminated sooner than later, lest it perpetuates itself having cancerous ramifications.