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In India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and other regions in South Asia it is a custom to give dowry to the bride for a wedding, usually by family members and close relatives. This symbol of goodwill and love has now turned into a burden and curse for young brides.
Every year around 600-700 brides are killed in India, usually burned to death by their husband or in-laws because they could bring enough dowry. Bride’s family is often harassed before and after the wedding to give more dowries, in some cases threatened with divorce or violence to accept the demands of the groom’s family.
According to a 2001 article on dowry deaths in India by Amanda Hitchcock “For nineteen-year-old Rinki dreams of a happily married life was never to be. Barely a month after her marriage, she was allegedly tortured and then set ablaze by her in-laws for dowry in Indiranagar in the small hours of Saturday. Daughter of late Gyan Chand, a fish contractor who expired a year ago, Rinki was married to Anil on April 19... However, soon after the marriage, Balakram [Anil’s father] demanded a colour television instead of a black and white one and a motorcycle as well. When Rinki’s mother failed to meet their demands, the teenage housewife was subjected to severe physical torture, allegedly by her husband and mother-in-law... On Saturday morning she [her mother] was informed that Rinki was charred to death when a kerosene lamp accidentally fell on her and her clothes caught fire. However, prima-facie it appeared that the victim was first attacked as her teeth were found broken. Injuries were also apparent on her wrist and chest.” Dowry related death, violence, harassment, torture is a big problem in modern day India, even though the Government passed the Dowry Prohibition Act back in 1961 making it illegal to demand dowry. Cultural norms still make it very difficult to completely stamp our dowry and prosecute those who demand them. A girl is taught from early age that in-laws are to be respected without any questions asked, a husband is to be loved even if he beats you up or tries to burn you, and marriage has to be saved at any cost. So for a young bride it is almost impossible to come out and say she is being harassed for dowry, the story becomes public in most cases only when the bride is hurt or when she is dead. Dowry related violence is not confined to poverty stricken, uneducated areas. It is common in big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh. A Times of India report says that dowry deaths in on rise in Delhi. The report says that “Cases of dowry deaths have increased from 113 in 2001 to 130 in 2002. Instances of cruelty by in-laws due to dowry have increased from 855 in 1997 to 1,196 in 2002. The figure was higher in 2001 at 1,208.”The Tribune on dowry deaths in state of Punjab (home to city of Chandigarh)“ One young married woman becomes a victim of dowry in Punjab every week. On an average, 55 women aged 18 to 35 die every year due to their inability to meet dowry-related demands.
A major scientific study on reported unnatural deaths of 1000 young married women in Punjab presents many other alarming statistics. Conducted by Dr D.C. Sharma, state chemical examiner at Punjab State Chemical Laboratory from 2002 to 2006, it establishes links between the state’s low sex ratio and the problem of dowry.”
For more information on bride burning and how you help, visit India National Commission for Women, Human Rights Commission and the Indian Embassy.
