India Together: Anti-dowry legislation destined to fail - Manushi, Issue 148

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Destined to f ail
The p resent daydo wrysy stem sy oiz the disinheritanc o mb l es e f wo men and the resutingdesp l eratio o p n f arents top sh their u dau hters o t o their ho g u f mes after marry them o Madhu ing ff. P rnima K u ishwar p ints toinherent fl o aws in the anti- wry do l isl n, eg atio and arg es that eq al u u inheritanc is the wayfo e rward.

This issu : Tabe o C ntents e l f o manu shi@nda.vsnl .net.in Manu shi, n I o ndia To ether g Wo men' I es s ssu

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Ev t en hough MANUSHIpl ed a l ng r e i brngi nat ay eadi ol n i ng i onal t i t domesi vol e and t r e dowr has atent o on t i enc c he ol y c ome t pl i makng women' l esv ner e,aferneary28 y sofex i e wi t e is ,Ihav c o ay n i si v ul abl t l ear perenc t hes s ues h e ome t o t f m c l i t t t ms' he i oncuson hat he er dowr deat and ' r y h' dowr vol e' e mil ng.Theyc rbut t y i enc ar seadi onti e owar makng ds i domesi vol e i I a appearasa uni t i enc n ndi c que,ex i phenomenon bygii t i es i t I an men ar t ot c vng he mpr son hat ndi e he onl onesi t word t us vol e bas on asut and r i y n he l o e i enc ed te at onal alul i .Byt sl c iwoul appeart men c c at ons hi ogi,t d hat i alot parsoft word ar tul supi bec e t beatand klt rwieswi n l her t he l ery t d aus hey i hei v l t houtanybenef ac r ng t t i c ui o hem, t wher I an men atac t rs eas ndi t k hei pous i t ex t i ofexori f es n he pecat on t t i ng nancal ewar fom t ri l . i r ds r hei n-aws

Domesi vol e i aboutusng br e f c t esabl h powerr at t i enc s c i ut or e o t i s el i i t f l wher women ar t ons n he ami y eby e aughtand c ondioned t ac epta s er i sat .Domesi vol e i a wayoftyng t getwomen t bel e t t c t i o c ubs vent t us t i enc s c ri o o i ev hat hey an onl l e atmen' mer y I i ofen c yi v s c . ts t ommied bymen wi l s feseem who desr a woman' s e ofs fworh t t t ow el t h toy s ens el t bec e t f i aus hey eelnadequat t c e o ope wi a woman who t nk and acsasa fee human bei wi a mi ofherown. t h hi s t r ng t h nd Lie r k ape,wi baterng poi st t c f e t i nt o he ommon pr c ediamentofwomen ac os nat ,c t ,cas es r i onsand r s i ons ases l s , el gi r ons egi .

W hata man sat ashi r on f beat hi wi s t es s eas or i ng s f houl e d notbe as umed t be t acual eas or' c e' t s o he t r on t aus of hat he vol e.Forex i enc ampl ia vol i i e,f i entncdenti ti ed of i a s rgger fn home i Ger n manybya man f i i o a r l ng nt y age and baterng a t i woman t deat s i 'ou ar a l yc ' 'ou ar f o h ayng,y e ous ook or y e at and ugl'we don'c l uc c i y, t als h rmes' Lous Cookng Mur s or y i der ' ' yW oman Mur s.W e r ognie t t osensbl Ugl der ' ec z hat he t i e r onsgien bymen f t rvol r eas v or hei i ent agesar mer ex us e e c es t desr a woman' s e ofs fworh.Theyar nott r o toy s ens el t e he eal c e.The s aus ame l cappl t dowr r at vol e.Ihav ogi i o es y el ed i enc e notc ome ac os a sngl c e wher a man bater a woman r s i e as e t ed s el bec e ofaddional ol y aus t i dowr demandsand woul begi t y d n o teathi wi welihi i l r s f e lf s n-awsmetwi alhi demands t l s h .

Byc r t Ihav c ontas, e ome ac os numer st i ,wher a r s ous i ons uat e woman s f sa l oft sand ev vol e bec e her ufer ot aunt en i enc aus hus band' f l f s mi sar c i i her elhi s ami eel he ght t t onsderng y s f gh and mi yf brngi i a huge dowr .DiecorVi Anand' ght or i ng n y r t j ay s fm Kor Kagazpr i l a oduc i 1970spr i a v ys iv ed n ovded er enst e i and i i f porr al an ot wie happy' e mari nsghtul tay of her s l ov rage' s f i a br - bec e t brde' mot i it on uferng eak up aus he i s her nsss s howerng herdaught and s i l wi gist mak up f i er on-n-aw t f o h t e or t modes i ome oft l t ,l ng t a s e of he tnc he ater eadi o ens i nadequac and humiat i t s i l y l i n he on-n-aw. i on

Ev t en hough Imai ai t dowr pers i nott c e of nt n hat y es he aus domesi vol e,t e i no denyng t dowr demandsand t i enc her s c i hat y s p es al i i t amount ofmoneybei s har c at n he on s ng pentby f l i puti t herdowreshasc rbut t vewi amies n i t oget ng i onti ed o i ng daught sasa bur er den and c equentdev uat ofwomen' l es ( ons al i on s i . See aril " Ens e Happi sort Dii i v t e To c ur nes o snhert Her ,Is 34,MANUSHI 1986. ?" s ue , ) The c t e ofdowr - vng i s eadi ev t c ul ur y gii s pr ng en o ommunies whih had no s h tadion a gener iof 10 t ago.Thi t , c i uc r t i at or wo s 1on

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India Together: Anti-dowry legislation destined to fail - Manushi, Issue 148

des t t f tt i t l tt dec pi he ac hatn he as wo e adest antdowr l he i y awshav been made v ysrngentand dr oni Many e er ti ac an. i er ett f l e oft e l nt pr he ai ur hes awst l s dowr gii asa sgn oft rpoori ement i Howev ,t e l o es en y vng i hei mpl at on. er hes aws hav s manyi entf e o nher l awst t rhones i ement i i welni i hat hei tmpl at s on l gh mpos i e.I f t t e l sbl n ac, hes awshav c eat e r ed mor pr emst t hav s v You c e obl han hey e oled. annotc ombata 'rme' c i asi def c i whih s l i ast antdowr l l ned he i y awsof I a. ndi An IlDef l- ined Crim e Def t ofdowr :Aspert Dowr Pr bion Ac ( i nal pas ed i 1961 and amended t c i t i i nion y he y ohi t i t orgi l y s n wie n he 1980s ,dowr i def ) y s i as' pr ned any operyorv uabl s urt gien oragr t al e ec i v y eed t be gien ei diecl or o v t her r t y i r t byone paryt a mari t t ot paryt t mari orbyt par sofei paryt a ndiecl y t o rage o he her t o he rage he ent t her t o mari orbyanyot per on,t ei paryt t mari ort anyot per on atorbef e [ anyot rage her s o t her t o he rage o her s or or her t afert mari i me t he rage]i c n onneci wi t mari oft s d pari 'Aspert sdef t gisofj t on t he h rage he ai t . es hi i i nion, f t ewely r, cot and c h tadional gien byt gr l hes as r t i l v y he oom' f l woul alo be c er byt ant dowr l and s ami y d s ov ed he i y aw henc decar iegal e l ed l l .

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Cogniabl ofenc Two amendment enaced i 1984 and 1986 made dowr gii and r eii a c z e f e: s t n y vng ec vng ogniabl z e ofenc Thi means a c tc i t e pr eedi upon i own k f e. s , our an niat oc i ngs t s nowl edge oron t bassofa pol e r he i i epor, c t ev it aggrev per on hasl en f he i ed s odged no s h c uc ompl nt Gisal ai . f l t owed :Aspert sl ' hi aw dowr 'sf bi y i or dden but' fs ar al gi ' e l t owed.The ant dowr l c i y aw annotbe i ok agai tt gii ofpr ent att t of nv ed ns he vng es s he i me mari t t brde wi rage o he i t houtanydemand havng been made ' ovded t s h pr ent ar ent ed i a l t i pr i hat uc es s e er n i s mai ai i ac or nt ned n c danc wi t r es asdef e t he ul ' h i undert Ant Dowr Ac. ned he i y t

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I mos ot c i ,i l ng mur , n t her rmes ncudi der I an j ipr ndi urs udenc put t bur e s he den of pr on t c oof he ompl nantand t ac us i ai he c ed s c i ed i onsder nnoc tl ov guiy ent i pr en l l. t Howev ,i t c e ofdowr r at er n he as y el ed ofenc ,a hus f es band and hi f l hav t s ami y eo pr e t t di notmak dowr ov hat hey d e y demandsand whatwasgien byt brde' v he i s par swer v unt ygis ent e ol ar f . t

Pr ent t t gr es s o he oom al l owed:Pr ent gien t t gr es s v o he oom ar alo ex e s empt pr i no demand hasbeen made and ed, ovded t ar ent ed i a l tand pr i t 'uc pr ent ar hey e er n i s ovded hats h es s e ofa c t usomar nat e and t v ue t eofi notex es ie' y ur he al her s c sv i r at t t 'nancal t usoft per on bywhom,or n el i o he f on i i sat he s on whos behal s h pr ent ar gien. e f uc es s e v ' ,

The theo that g wingg ry ro reed is the c se o do au f wryinc rease wo l mak ud e sense o yif o r c u nl u o ntryhad twodistinc t sets o famil -tho whoo yp du ed f ies se nl ro c so and tho whop du ed o y ns se ro c nl dau hters. g

Pr c i punihment A per on f es rbed s : s ound guiyoft i or l t akng abeti t gii ort i ofdowr ,i i i ionmentf a t m notl st f e y sand wi a f t he vng ng akng y nvt mprs es or er es han i ear v t i h ne whih s l be l st Rs15000 ort amountoft v ue ofs h dowr ,whihev i mor c halnot es han he he al uc y c er s e.

Legal i t iegalAferdecarng t gii ort i ofdowr i iegalt Ac addsa c i rdert i ng he l s l : t l i hat vng akng ysl l , he t urous i hat ' wher anydowr i r eied byanyper on ot t t woman i c e y s ec v s her han he n onneci wi whos mari ii gien, t on t h e rage ts v t per on wi tansert dowr t t woman wi n t ee mont afert dat ofmari orwi n t ee hat s l r f he l y o he t hr hi hs t he e rage t hr hi mont afert dat ofr ei .Fai e t tansera woman' dowr i i i ionmentf notl st sx hs t he e ec pt l o r f ur s y nvt mprs es or es han i mont and a f ofRs10, hs i ne . 000.I t dowr wasr eied when t woman wasa mi ,is f he y ec v he nor t houl be d tansered t herwi n t ee mont afers hasatai t age of18 y s r f r o t hr hi hs t he t ned he ear .

Dowr r ur :Seci 406 pr c i y et n t on es rbes i ionmentofup t t ee y sf mprs o hr ear or c i nal eac oftus f notr ur ng a rmi br h r t or et ni woman' dowr ,ia woman demandsiafer s y f t t hermari br sdown.Seci 406 i rage eak t on s one oft f caus i t l t has he ew l es n he aw hat pr en us ulorwomen wi a genui ov ef f t h ne c e bec e ihel i t r rev of as aus t ps n he eti al dowr wher t hus y e he band ori l n-awsar e unwii t r ur t goodst c lng o et n he l hat ame asdowr .I a per on f l t c y f s ai o ompl wi t c t dieci t tanser s y t he our' r t o r f h s on a woman' dowr wi n t s ied perod,an amountequalo t v ue oft pr s y t he pecf hi i i t he al he operymaybe r ov ed t 2 of 10 ec er

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India Together: Anti-dowry legislation destined to fail - Manushi, Issue 148

fom hi r m. Dr oni ant c uel l I 1983,Seci 498A oft I def ac an i r t aw: n y t on he PC i a new c ned ogniabl ofenc namel,'r t z e f e, y c uel y byhus band orr at esofhus el i v band'Thi meanst onc s h a c . s hat e uc ompl nti r ser byt vci oranyof ai s egit ed he it m herr at es t pol e hav no opt butt t e aci I pr c i i ionmentf a t m,whih may el i , he i v c e i on o ak t on. t es rbes mprs or er c exend t t ee y s and alo i l t o hr ear , s ncudesa f The def t ofc uel i notj tc i t c i gr e i ne. i i nion r t s y us onf ned o ausng av i ur ,bodi har ordangert le,l orphy ial nj y l y m, oi i f mb sc heal butalo i l t h, s ncudeshar ng ment heal by mi al t h har s as mentand emot i onalorur t ough v bal t t e hr er abus Thi l t espariul c e. s aw ak t ar ognianc ofhar s c z e as ment , wher ioc ur wi a vew t c cng t wi oranyper on r at t her t meetanyunl ul et c s t h i o oer i he f e, s el ed o ,o awf demand r egar ng anypr di operyorv uabl s urt,oroc ur on ac ountoff l e byher oranyper on r at t her t al e ec i y c s c ai ur , s el ed o , t meets h a demand. o uc Punihmentf ' s or dowr deat :W omen' or z i alo pus y h' s ganiat ons s hed t geta new c egor ofc i i l o at y rme ncuded on t sat e bookva an amendmentt t I an Penal he t ut i o he ndi Code.Thi c i -named ' s rme dowr mur ' ' y der or dowr y deat i c er bySeci 304B.Thi s t sat t it deat ofa woman i c ed bybur orbodi h's ov ed t on s eci t es hatf he on h s aus ns l y i ur ,oroc ur underabnor cr umsanc ,wi n s en y sofhermari and ii s nj y c s mal ic t es t hi ev ear rage ts hown t j t hatus prort deat s wass ec t c uel byherhus i o h he ubj t o r t y band orhi r at es i c s el i ,n onneci wi demandsf dowr , v t on t h or y s h a deat woul be c l ' uc h d al dowr deat and t hus ed y h' he band orr at e woul be deemed t hav c ed her el i v d o e aus deat The per on hel guiyofa ' h. s d l t dowr deat s l punihed wi i ionmentf a t m whih s l y h' halbe s t mprs h or er c halnot be l st s en y sbutwhih mayexend t i ionmentf le. es han ev ear c t o mprs or i f

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As umpt ofgui:Byi eri a new s t 113B i t I an Evdenc Ac,t l s i on l t ns t ng eci on n he ndi i e t he awmak ssi at t i er t pul ed hatn c est ar r ser byt pol e ast e of' as hat e egit ed he i c hos dowr deat ,t c ts l es y h' he our halpr ume t t ac us i hat he c ed s guiyunl she c pr e ot wie. l t es an ov her s Baipr ii f ' l ovsons or dowr c i 'Unders t 304B,i t c e ofa ' y rmes: eci on n he as dowr deat ,wher al y h' e l i of egat ons demand ofdowr ornon-et n ofdowr ar made,t ac us ar fequent deni ant i or ,orev y r ur y e he c ed e r l y ed i pat y c en r arbai Thi i under t egul l ss . sandabl i c esofdeat bec e t unnat al e n as h aus he ur demie ofa woman i i i ell el s s n t fi y s k evdenc t s i e hat omet ng wass i l wr hi erousy ong i t mari n he rage.Butihasalo meantt i alc esofa t s hatn l as mari woman' deat l er t t advs t woman' f l t t mus bui a c e ofdowr red s h,awy s end o ie he s ami hat hey y t l d as y demandsev it mur ors cde wasdue t ot r ons en f he der uii o her eas .

Basic Fl aws in the Laws

Manypr emsars fom t sf z def t ofc i c obl ie r hi uz y i i nion rme ombi wi dr oni pr ii f punihment ned t ac an ovsons or h s : W ho decdeswhati a 'ol ar gi' i s v unt y f and whati gien underpr s e ofa demand? The v ys t s v es ur er ame f l t ami hat y ofen decar ,att t ofmari t l es he i me rage,t t onl gav 'ol ar gis t t gr hat hey y e v unt y f 'o he oom' f l,doesnot t s ami y hest e t atrbut alt r' f- vng'o exori s demands onc t mari t nss and i headed f i at o ti e lhei gi gii t t t t onit , e he rage ur our s or a br down.Thus ev when mart toubl maynotbe c eak , en i r es al onneced t t sesov dowr ,and t mart t o us l er y he i al sr n i due t mut i ompat lyr hert t hus tai s o ualnc i i at bit han he band' vol e orabus manywomen' f l t s i enc e, s amies end i ts o eekan adv age i r serng c esusng t dr oni pr ii oft ant dowr l when t ant n egit i as i he ac an ovsons he i y aw he mari headst rage owar a br down. ds eak

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Bur den ofpr on t ac us :W hat oof he c ed mak t sl es i l dr oni i es hi aw pecal ac an s y t t bur hat he den ofpr hasbeen oof s fed ont t ac us The brde' hi t o he c ed. i s par sr el wantt decar t tue ent ar y o l e he r v ue ofgisgien bec e t bi al f v t aus he g dowr gier alo putt hert r y v s s oget hei daught ' dowr fom bl kmoney er s yr ac and,t ef e,don'wantil t her or t ti ed. s W hen dowr gii i a c i why y vng s rme, woul a gr d oom orbrde' f l put i s ami y t rsgnat e on t l tofgisbei hei i ur he i s f t ng gien? v

How do y decde whati ' c sv i r at t i ome bywayofgiswhen i I a no mor t 2ou i s ex es ie'n el i o nc on f t n ndi e han 3 per entpeopl decar t ri omesand t e t ar gr syunderr c e l e hei nc hos oo e os l epored? How do y j t ou udge t payng he i sat ofa f l imos oft rweal i i ' ac ' t us ami f y t hei t s n bl k moneyand pr h operyhol ngshel i bogusnamest es ape t di dn o c t es ax ?

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India Together: Anti-dowry legislation destined to fail - Manushi, Issue 148

Si e a good par ofmoder dowres nc t n i c itofex onss pensv j ie ewely r, hous ehol goodsand hi prc d gh ied cot ,how do y pr e whet or l hes ou ov her nott e t ngswer tansered t t brde' name wi n t ee mont ofmari hes hi e r f r o he i s t hr hi hs rage? Forex ampl ia f l e,f ami y hass pentRs3- l h on pr i ng new f ni e f t rdaught ' home,doesimean t alt f ni e . 4 ak ovdi ur t ur or hei er s t hat lhat ur t ur mus be k i r t eptn oomsmeantf t ex l ie us oft daught ? or he cusv e he er Aspert l ev dowr gii i an ofenc butt e i har yev an i t e oft brde' f l bei he aw, en y vng s f e, her s dl er nsanc he i s ami y ng pr ec ed f gii dowr .The as umpt i t onl ' er ' e guiywhi ' v s ar hapl sc eat es os ut or vng y s i s hat y t s ar on ak l t l gier ' e e es r ur yel ng t t gr i di o he eed and c l demandsoft gr al ous he oom' f l. s ami y

The c ampai sagai tdowr mak iappearasi gner ns y et f D ifferenc b e etween mo dern daydo wry es al i dowresar s el due t t gr c at ng i e ol y o he eed oft gr he oom' s and stridhan is as p fo nd as that ro u f l.Howev ,asIhav ar ami y er e gued i s er aril ,t n ev al t es he c b etween a ho rse c arriag and a mo riz e to ed t heor t gr ng gr y hat owi eed i t c e ofdowr i r e s he aus y nc eas tru k Tho g b th mo o wheel the c. uh o ve n s, woul mak s e onl iourc d e ens yf ountyhad t dit ts sof r wo si nc et p wer that p p s the twok o ro el inds o f f l -t e who onl pr amies hos i y oduc s ed onsand t e who hos wheel is al g s to ether different. pr oduc onl daught s The 'on- es ed'amieswoul ed y er . s bl s f l i d t be per hus manentgai sasdowr r eier whi ner y ec v s l e ' daught - ur ed'amieswoul be per erc s f l i d manentvci ofgr it ms eed and be al satt mer yofexori s way he c t t onit demands Thi i cearynott c e bec e a f l,whih gieson i daught ' weddi bec . ss l l he as aus ami y c v t s er s ng, omesa r i entwhen i s ecpi t onsgetmari s red. Thi l doesnott e i o ac ountt r dl c s aw ak nt c he api y hangi f msofmari tans t ng or rage r aci and miesup t ons x he tadion ofstridhan wi moder daymari tans t .Ev t ant dowr c r t i t h n rage r aci ons en he i y ampai satrbut t gner ti e he pr emsoft moder daydowr s sem t t tadion ofstridhan,bot ofwhih ar pr eced asa hangov obl he n y y t o he r t i h c e oj t er of' adionalpati c nor .The pr entdayc t ofdowr gii mayr ai s t t r i ' rar hal ms es usom y vng et n ome i edi soft ngr ent he tadion ofgii srdhan ( woman' own i i r t i vng ti a s nal enabl pr e opery t daught sbutt dier e bet t) o er he f enc f ween moder daydowr and srdhan i aspr ound ast bet n y ti s of hat ween a hor e c rage and a mot ied tuc .Though s ari orz r k bot mov on wheel t powert pr st t kndsofwheel i al h e s he hat opel he wo i s s t herdier . oget f ent f

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Dowry vs Stridhan

Stridhan,asperHi c t ndu usomar pr t e,i t pori ofweal whih i t ex l ie pr y aci s hat t c on t h, c s he cusv operyofwomen and t pas esfom mot t daught .I i l s r her o er tncudesgisofmoney pr f t , opery j t,ewelyora s e i a f l busnes gien t a r har n ami y i s v o woman asa daught ,sser wi ordaught -nl I alo c er weal gener ed t ough herown ent prs orany er it , f e eri aw. t s ov s t h at hr er ie ot weal ac r ng t herdue t herown efor orbyi i e.I i l her t c ui o h o f t nhert anc tncudes buti notl t t gisorweal gien , s i ed o, f mi t t v h t a daught att t ofhermari o er he i me rage.I alo i l t s ncudesgisgien t herbyheri l .A k - i ng c acersi f v o t n-aws ey def ni har t it c ofsrdhan i t no one i t f l c t h i ex eptit woman c er ti s hat n he ami an ouc t c y , f he onc ned v unt i gisa pori t s ol arl f y t t o omeone. on I t nat al our e,srdhan pas esfom mot t daught and ii a c i n he ur c s ti s r her o er fn ont ngenc a mal memberus a par ofa y e es t woman' srdhan,he i ex t t r ur iwi i er t s ti s peced o et n t t nt es. h The tadional r t i stridhan gien att t ofa daught ' mari wasdet mi bypr cabl nor wi n eac v he i me er s rage er ned edit e ms t hi h c ommuni and wasmor i t nat e ofpr morem i i e f t daught t us l i l t y e n he ur e- t nhert anc or he er hat ual ncuded i y t emss h as uc gol c d, owsorev a pi e ofl en ec and,al wi a f cot and ut i .Up t mygr ong t ew l hes h ensl s o andmot s gener i her ' at on, c ommuni nor decded t gisgien t a daught .Bymymot ' gener i dowr had sared emer ng asa t y ms i he f v o t er her s at on y t t gi pr em bec e mari alanc began t be made on t bassofa gr obl aus rage l es i o he i oom' pot i i ome and sat i t s ent nc al t us n he ' moder ec n' onomyr hert tadional i ofsrdhan. at han r t i not ons ti Tr t adional i stridhan gieswomen sr v tongerand i i nal enabl rght t a pori ofweal i bot par al e i so t on t n h h ent and mart i al f l .Byc r t dowr i a devc f dii ing daught sfom par al opery asdic s i myaril , amies i ontas, ys ie or snhert i er r ent pr t, s us ed n t es c " Ens e HerHappi sort Dii iHer and " To ur nes o snhert ?" Dowr Calul i . (See MANUSHINo.34,1986 and No.78, y c at ons" 1993.Thi t s heme i alo deali myfm:Dahej Zar aty Maj i Av l e on CD fom MANUSHI) Moder s s tn i l : oor a boor? ai abl r .. n i i el nhert anc awsalo f l hor ofstridhan bec e t al daught sand wiest be dii i atwi.AsIhav s als t aus hey l ow er v o snhert ed l l e pr i l dic s t pr ii of' ee wi' evousy s us ed, he ovson f r l wasi l l ncuded i t Hi Suc es i Ac of1956 s ic l wi a n he ndu c son t pecf al t i y h vew t gii t powert f her t dii it rdaught .( a det l analsss ' t VsRealy The Hi i o vng he o at s o snhert hei er For ai ed y i ee,Myh i: t ndu Code Bi'Ec l, onomi Polial eeky VolXXI No.33,Augus 13,1994) l c ic W t l, . X, t . Ther or mipl ed hosit t tadional ul al ms i l ng t e l e stridhan t gav women sr ef e, s ac ti o r t ly i c t nor ,ncudi hos i ur k hat e tong rght, i s r ul i i- onc v c es t n lc eied ampai t c e f t har t women.Punihmentf s h a poorydef10 and s l gns hat aus urher m o s or uc l 4 ofned i

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c ept ied l i heav and dr oni t antdowr l i bei wi ymius byuns r ousf l , onc ual z aw s y ac an; he i y aw s ng del s ed c upul amies i pol emen and l er . i c awy s From Dowry to Groom Price Unl e stridhan,whih wast ex l ie pr i k c he cusv operyoft woman,t pr entdaydowr i l t he he es y ncudesgisand weal gien f t t v h ata daught ' weddi notj tt herbutt herhus er s ng, us o o band,i l n-awsand hi r at esaswelashous s el i v l ehol goods d r r f s t up t hous Thes v yfom smpl gisofcot ng and s lt equied or eti ng he e. e ar r i e f t l hi mali emsofj ewelyf t woman,t r or he o ex bi s or t ant umsi c h orex n as pensv pi esofpr ie ec operyt t gr t o he oom and hi par s s ent. The amountofdowr c y ommanded by a gr oom hasmor t do wi hi s i eo t s ocal h sat ,i ome pot i and s i t us nc ent al ocal f l c amial onneci t wi t i t ons han t he h per eied s e ofa daught i her c v har er n par al opery Thust par of ent pr t. hat t weal whih i gien t t gr t h, c s v o he oom and hi f l,hasac r t f m s ami y quied he or ofgr oom prc bec e ii an oferng ie aus ts f i f s i an alanc wi a f l or eekng l e t ami i h y wi l r ie pot i .Not t uc at h v ent al s prsngl,men i t e gov nment ur ii y n hos er j s h ast I an Admi sr ie obs uc he ndi nitat v Ser ie (AS)and t I an Pol e vc I he ndi i c Ser ie (PS) whih c vc I , c ommand t he hi ghes brbesand unl t av t i i ed enues mi f l i t publ aswelasr ng or oot he ng i c l obbi fom t publ ex hequerand r he i c c appr i i r our ess h asl oprat es c ng uc and al ment and busnes c r t l ot s i s ontacs c ommand t hi he ghes dowres I i a f l one s i an I ofier hi dowr wi be s t i l hi t i . fn ami y on s AS f , s c y l l ubsant y ghert t of al han hat hi br herwho mayhav managed t getnot ng mor t a s hool her j s ot e o hi e han c t eac ' ob. s Cont empor ydowr i mor l e an i esmentbyt brde' f l i t hope ofpl ng i o powerul onneci ar ys ei k nv t he i s ami n he y uggi nt f c t ons and money makng opporunies Maryng a daught t s h a man maymean upwar mobit f herent e nat - i t t . i ri er o uc d ly or i i r al f l,es i l br her ,bec e t mays ur huge benefst ough t sc ami y pecal ot s y aus hey ec e i hr t hi onneci t on. The c omponentofdowr t si r ai s y hat tl et ns ome r embl e t t tadional l es anc o he r t i stridhan i olest brde' tous eau, nv v he i s r s gol j d ewely hous r, ehol goodsand anypr d operyt herpar smi puti hername.Butev t sdoesnotal s t hat ent ght n en hi way r emai i herc r ,l ng t biert ses I i notunc n n ontol eadi o t us l . ts t ommon f a gr or oom' f l t k s ami o eep a par oft sdowr f y t hi y or t rown daught ' weddi orteatt hous hei er s ng r he ehol goodsasoferngsmade t t f l,r hert bei r er ed d f i o he ami at y han ng es v f t brde. or he i Recom pense f Disinheritance or

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Deni ofi i e rght t daught si j ti on t gr al nhert anc i s o er s usied f he ound t t i ii t rmart homes Howev ,t hat hey nhertn hei i al . er he s e women ac r i t rmart f l' pr har quie n hei i ami s operyi notmade i t rown rght butc al y t s n hei i , omest t o hem t ough t r hr hei hus bands W omen i imor ofen aswi . nhert e t dowst asdaught sorwies Bec e aswi han er v . aus dowst bec hey ome cai l mant t t rhus s o hei band' s e ofpr s har opery dowr gien att t ofa daught ' weddi hasc t, y v he i me er s ng ome t be s o een as an oferng t heri l ,r hert herex l ie per onal opery f i o n-aws at han cusv s pr t. Si e i mos c esonl s nc n t as y onsi ipar al operyand f l busnes es and ii onl i t f m ofdahejhat nhert ent pr t ami y i s , ts y n he or t daught sgeta s e -al tan unequal er har bei one -i par al opery mos women c i dowr ast rl t e n ent pr t, t onsder y hei egimat i due.Afermari t rage,ev t par al en he ent home c omest be t rbr her ' o hei ot s and bhabhi' s home.Mos women f t a t eelhat dowr -es weddi doesnotwor i t ri er tbec e ionl meanst rbr her end up wi an ev bi yl s ng k n hei nt es aus t y hei ot s t h en gger s e off l r our es har ami es c . y How Peopl Justif Dowry e y Some oft c he ommonl ex es ed j tiat y pr s usic i f dowr r asf l :W hen a y f ons or y un ol ows oung woman ent sa new f l,s er ami he y f sdii eel fdentt as f basct ngss needsf herdai us I s goest hermart home wi f o k or i hi he or l e. f he y o i al t houtanyhi t c l t ng o al herown,herdependenc on heri l e n-awsand hus band i r es unl ss hasa r onabl i ome ofherown, nc eas , es he eas e nc whih mos women do not Ther or alt hous c t . ef e, lhe ehol goodsand cot par spr i t rdaught sar d l hes ent ovde hei er e 5 of 10

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s uppos t hel t ed o p hem f t t hav s eelhat hey e omet ng t c lhei own i t rnew home. hi o alt r n hei Si e daught si mos c esar dii i byt rpar safermari nc er n t as e snhert ed hei ent t rage,t rmai s urt l i sr hei n ec i i n tengt ng y es heni t rec hei onomi rght i t rhus c i s n hei band' f l.Howev ,it go ' s ami y er f hey empty handed'o t rhus t hei band' home,how c s an t ex tt t wi be teat asequal t s The dowr i,t ef e,i par an ' esmentmade bypar s hey pec hat hey l l r ed parner ? y s her or n t i nv t ' ent t s ur a s e f t rdaught i herhus o ec e har or hei er n band' f l pr s ami opery y t. W hen women go asnew brdes t ri l i , hei n-awsar alo ex t t pr i t e s peced o ovde hem wi ex t pensv new cot and j h ie l hes ewely r. How c gi gii be one- ? W hys an f vng t way houl women' par snotgie gist t rhus d s ent v f o hei t band' r at esasa goodwi s el i v l l gesur when t brde i ex t t bec t e he i s peced o ome a cai l manti t hus n he band' i ome and pr s nc opery t? W hen one r s t is ofmart vol e and abus due t dowr demandsmanyhav r ponded wi t c aies he s ue i i enc al e o y e es t he ount h er quesi " e y s t on: Ar ou uggesi t women getbeat abus and mur ed onl i I a,and t t onl among t hat ng en, ed der y n ndi hat oo y c ommuniest gie dowr ? Don'women i Amerc Eur t hat v i y t n ia, ope,Ausr i t Phippi ,and Afia alo getbeat tal he a, l nes i rc s en and kl ev t ied, en hough i t e c l n hes ounti dowr gii i notan is res y vng s s ue?"Mos women ar i f ourofa r onabl t e n av eas e amountofdowr bei gien pr i t gr y ng v ovded he oom' f l doesnotputundue pr s e on hernat f l wi s ami y es ur alami t y h addional t t t i exori e demands onat .

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Reasons f Dowry I or ncrease Thos who mak a c e f a srngentant dowr l on t gr e e as or ti i y aw he ound t dowr amount hat y s ar rsng ex e ii ponent l f gett among manyf l i t dowr pr t i gr i y or al hat amies n he i y aci ng oups sandar ofl i hav alo c ,t ds i ng v e s rs dr ien amat al .Up t mygr i l c y o andmot ' t her i dowr c it ofcot f t brde,gol orslerj s me, y onssed l hes or he i d i v ewely s er r , ev al s sofbeddi c et ng, ows bufal and bedseads c sorpeedhas and per , f oes t , ot hapsa wooden cos .Some c l et ommunies t i alo gied a pori ofl -a tadion si c s f t t on and r t i tl ommon i r onsl e Andhr Byt t ofmymot ' weddi s a l n egi i k a. he i me her s ng, of s sand dr sng t eshad bec et es i abl ome mandat yand di or nners sand t s swer i l et ea et e ncuded al wi kthen ut i . ong t i h c ensl s W athes walcoc sand r o s salo bec c , ll k adi et s ame c ommon bec e byt alt e i aus hen lhes t emshad bec ome c t usomar y parsofmi e cas le.Today r rger or ,ai c t ddl l s i f , efi at s r ondioner ,aut t i s omobi and a whol r l es e ange ofgadgetyar an r e i egr par ofuppercas and uppermi e cas dowresbec e t e f l us manyoft e c eni esi nt al t l s ddl l s i aus hes amies e i hes onv enc n t rdai l es hei l i . y v

Howev ,t e i no es api t f tt ugl t sesar bec ng c er her s c ng he ac hat y us l e omi ommonpl e ov dowr pay ac er y ment.An s i mporantr on f gr ng c h demandsand ex t eas or owi as pensv gisf t gr ie f or he oom' f l i t par ss t sast r t s ami s hat ent ee hi y hei mai inott onl c n,f he y hanc t be c e, o ompens ed f t bi bonanz t ar oferng t brde i t f m ofan ear ng at or he g a hey e f i he i n he or ni s Theyf t s on. eelhey houl be r ompens f t ri esmenti hi educ i and upbrngi snc afermari hi d ec ed or hei nv t n s at on i ng i e t rage s wi mayi l f e nf uenc hi nott s e m o uppor hi own par s Asl asj ntf l wer t nor and mos par sc d t s ent. ong oi amies i e he m t ent oul c ounton t rs hei onst s o uppor t t hem i ol age and teatt ri ome asbel ng t a c n d r hei nc ongi o ommon pooldowr demands , y wer notasmuc ofan is Howev ,wi i r i br down ofj ntf l and r ucanc ofmanywomen t e h s ue. er t nc easng eak h oi amies i el t e o saywi i l ,t i ec i ofpar si manyf l t est f m oftyng t exr twhatt c fom t t t n-aws he ns urt h y ent n amies ak he or i r i o tac hey an r he brde' f l att t oft rs smari i s ami y he i me hei on' rage. The r d upwar mobit made pos i e due t openi ofnew api d ly i sbl o ng opporuniesf ur t t or ban educ ed mi e and uppercas men, i at ddl l s whos ear ng pot i hasi r ed ex e ni ent al nc eas ponent l,hasmeant i y al t s h gr hat uc oomsar avdl s e i y oughtafer Formos women upwar t . t d mobit c ly omest ough t man t maryr hert t rown i hr he hey r at han hei empl ment Mos f l tygeti hi oy . t amies r i t ng ghersat gr t us oomsi t n he bel t t rdaught swi f ieasert adj ti s h i hat hei ef er l i t i o us n uc l nd f l t it wer t marybel t rsat ,apar fom amies han f hey i eo r ow hei t us tr t benefsac r ng i t l r t t gil f l byf gi he i t c ui n he ong un o he r' ami s y or ng an alanc wi a welc l e t i h l onneced kns p net k t demand f t i hi wor ; he or s h upwar ymobi men i f i ex es ofs uc dl l e s ar n c s uppl. y An i mporantr on f t i r e i domesi c l t,rsng t eas or he nc eas n t onfcs ii c i dowr demandsand t tansor i ofdowr fom stridhan t y he r f mat on yr o gr oom prc i t ourl ie s hat egal enacment,admi sr ie t s nitat v i er ent nt v i and sat pol i ar f cng t nucears i of ons t e i es e or i he c l iat on f l wi amies t i houtdue atent t t f tt t onl ormai ol t i o he ac hat he y on n d age s urt f t v tmaj i ofpeopl i I a ar t r ec i or he as y ort y e n ndi e hei c l en,es i l t rs .Par si es alt c i t r hi dr pecal hei ons y ent nv t lhey an n hei s seduc i and c eerbui ng i t hope and ex t i on' at on ar l di n he pecat on t s hat onswi getj orot f msofear ng opporunies l l obs her or ni t t i brngi aboutupwar mobit f t whol f l.Sonsar i ng d ly or he i e ami y e ex t t c rbut t t educ i and mari c t of peced o onti e o he at on rage oss y oungersbl i i aswelast e c e ofpar si t rol age.I ngs l ak ar ent n hei d n s i i wher t e i neart al enc ofanyot f m of ocet es e her s ot abs e her or

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s i orol age s urt,t si an under t ocal d ec i hi s y sandabl ex t i e pecat on. Howev ,t manypar sf t sex t i bel afert rs er oo ent i hi pecat nd on i ed t hei onsgetmari es i l it rs red, pecal f hei onst e up wel y ak l payng j ors c i obs uc eed i an i n ndependentent prs s er ie epar e fom t j ntf l ec at r he oi ami y onomy Notj ti metopolan . us n r i t ct ,butev i s lownsand vl ies i en n malt iagesofI a,y l ndi oung wiesar i r i ypr v e nc easngl one t i iton movng awayfom o nss i r t j ntf l and s up t rown i he oi ami y et hei ndependentesabl hment ev when t i l t i s , en he n-awsar notabusv e ie. A man c i ng t f ont nui o i nancal s i l uppor hi par sory y t s ent oungersbl i i ev afernucearz i oft f l ofen f ngs en t l iat on he ami t i y nds si r it e fom hi wi Manyev sop doi s Somet tf essanc r f s f e. en t ng o. i mespar st ent hems v wi aw fom r eii s h eles t hdr r ec vng uc s uppor i or t av d fit i t mart le oft rs . tn der o oi rci n he on i i al f hei ons Wi t houtdoubt i s ,n ome c esdaught s i l wii yendor e t rhus as er -n-aw lngl l s hei bands eforst s ' f t o uppor t rnat f l . t hei alamies i Butt ov altend i mor i t dieci ofmovng awayfom t i r ponsbit f t i l . he er lr s e n he r t on i r akng es i ly or he n-aws i I nsecurity ofGroom ' Fam il s y

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I r enty sIhav hear anynumberofpar st l t mari no mor means'any daan' gi ofa n ec ear e d ent elme hat rage e k a (f t daught )but' rs er put amar pan' handi ov ofs t t daught i l .Theys t t hav t be pr ( ng er on o he ern- aw) ay hat hey eo epar f ed or t ev ualyt ev oc asonal ii t t s shous maybe r ent and bl k byhi wi is s c he ent i hat en c i t vst o he on' s e es ed oc ed s f f he uc eeds e, i wi ng hi ov t hersde.Thati whyone f n nni m er o i s i manypar styt maryof t rdaught sbef e t arange nds ent r o r f hei er or hey r t rs ' ragesbec e oft f t t maynotbe al hei ons mari aus he ear hat hey l owed t c rbut t t ex o onti e o he pens afert rs es t hei onsget mari Thi i alo t r on whydowr i i r i yt i t f m of' oom prc ,wi par sex t t a red. s s s he eas y s nc easngl akng he or gr ie' t h ent peci hat ng c t n s ofmoneywi be gien t t erai um l l v o hem al tas' ompens f t rhandi ov t i ome and as et oft r mos r ec e'or hei ng er he nc s s hei s t t woman who bec on o he omeshi wi s f e.

Thi i r i i ec i and unc t nt i att hear off l t sesbet s nc easng ns urt y erai y s he t ami us l y ween t brde,hernat f l and heri he i alami y -nl .W hi s aws l ome gr ef l r i t e ac ul esgn hems v t t sf e and ev enc age s y eles o hi at en our onst s up a s o et epar e hous afer at e t mari rage,manyf a grm batl t k i ght i t o eep t rs e hei onsundert ri l hei nf uenc whih ofen meansusng ev vcous e, c t i en ii met hodst pr entt c o ev he oupl fom enj i a cos c ugal el i hi The y er oyng l e onj r at ons p. oung brde hasa f mi e weapon i i or dabl n herar y-hery h and s .The ol par sex oit emot mor out ex d ent pl t he i onal appeal bl bonds Thi bond i easert of ood . s s i o s erwher t par sar dependenton t s ev e he ent e he onsf ol age s or d uppor.The f f l who ar v yweal may t ew amies i e er t hy s c uc eed i usng t rpr n i hei operyasa gl t k t ue o eep t rmari s hei red onscos t t l e o hem.Thi anxet and unc t nt about s iy erai y t rf e vs a- i t rs hei at i- vs hei onsi i l ge par r ponsbl f sr s n ar t es i e or tengt ng t c t e of' heni he ul ur dowr demands. y ' The f c batl bet i e t er es ween daught s i l and par s i l ar alo l gel due t t f tt women i mos er -n-aw ent-n-aw e s ar y o he ac hat n t c ommuniesar c t i e ondioned t bel e t t rrght l i t rhus t i o i ev hat hei i s i n hei e bands f l .Ther or t f exr 'amies i ef e, hey eel temel y i ec e and r entul ns ur es f aboutt cai ofot member oft rhus he l ms her s hei bands f l .Par oft s ut t t s 'amies i t he ol i o hi on di l emma,t ef e,l i gii women i i her or i n vng es nal enabl rght i t rpar al operys t t ent t rmart e i s n hei ent pr t o hat hey er hei i al homeswi a s e ofs fc i t h ens el onf denc i t k e n he nowl edge t t don'hav t k hat hey t e o eep t mari goi ' alc t' he rage ng at l oss and don'hav t c v outa nihe f t t e o ar e c or hems v byc bi t rght oft ri l . eles ur ng he i s hei n-aws

Draconian Yet I f nefective

The ant dowr agi i ssdo nott e t e new dy i y t onit at ak hes namisi o ac ount Theyhav r i mai yon pi outage c nt c . e el ed nl ous r c ombi wi emot e out ssdemandi t t l be made mor and mor srngenti t ratemptt abol h ned t h i v bur t ng hat he aw e e ti n hei t o i s t s'ocal i.Howev ,s h l hi s i evl ' er uc awswor onl ipeopl per eie t rown i er ti t pr k yf e c v hei nt es n he opos meas e ofr or ed ur ef m. I a woman bel esi t i a pori ofherpar al f i ev n akng t on ent weal att t ofhermari and iherpar sbel e t s t h he i me rage f ent i ev hi i a nec s yi esmentf herf ur happi s how c anyl sop s h gii and t i The onl efec oft s es ar nv t or ut e nes , an aw t uc vng akng? y f t he ant dowr l and c i y aw ampai hasbeen t t gii and t i hasbec gn hat he vng akng ome mor s r ious Eari ,f l e urepti . l amies t er i ens ed t pr ur hat operl t and ac ount wer pr is s c s e epar and t gr ed he oom' f l wasmade t sgn t l toft ngst s ami y o i he i s hi hey r eied whi t dowr i elwasputon dipl f alt r at est t e not ofs t e wer numer wi s ec v l he e yt f s s ay or lhe el i v o ak e o her e ous t nes es t t tans t Today no l t ar sgned and mos oft gii and r eii i s ouded i s r yand made o he r aci on. , is e i s t he vng ec vng s hr n ec ec k nown onl t ough whipernet k wi n t kns p s i cr l Though t e i a hel ul ovson i t ant y hr s wor s t he i hi ocal ice. hi her s pf pr ii n he i dowr l makng ia c i nal f e it gil dowr i notr ur y aw i t rmi ofenc f he r' s ys et ned t heron demand,i c e ofbr down of o n as eak mari rage,t batl ov r ur ofdowr hav bec he t es er et n y e ome mor diiuland c e fc t f ompl at bec e i or t s ur t i ed c aus n der o ec e he r ur ofherdowr ,a woman hast f s esabl h whatwasgien.I t e i no cearpr ofwhatt tans t et n y oit t i r s v f her s l oof he r aci ons wer att t ofmari e he i me rage,t e i ampl s ope f f s cai and faudul deni s her s e c or ale l ms r ent al.

I t f s dec n he i t ade ofMANUSHI exsenc mos oft e r ' it e, s t hos who c ame t usf l o or egal d wer women who al ai e l eged abus i t rmart home.I t l tf y s a good e n hei i al n he as ew ear , pr opori oft c esc ng t usi ole c t on he as omi o nv v ompl nt by ai s mot s i l and hus her -n-aw bandsaboutt mius and abus he s e e

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ofl ,es i l s t 498A.Suc c esar br aws pecal eci y on h as e ought t mynot e notonl byaggrev f l and t r o i c y i ed amies i hei fi rends butmor ofen bymember ofwomen' , e t s s or s i t ganiat ons hems v .( eles See myaril ' t e UnderUs & c e Abus ofLawsagai tDomesi Vi enc -MANUSHI e ns t ol e' c No.120,2000) . Ev t mos acie pr en he t t v oponent and def s ender oft ant s he i dowr l c y aw annotcai t t l hasbeen a s c s l m hat he aw uc es . I t off t ng t rc nsead i uni hei ampai t t r ieson t negn o he eali t he gr ound,t ant dowr agi i sshav c i he i y t onit at e ont nued t o demand t t l be made si mor srngent hat he aw tl e ti l . Ev t en hough i r enty sa good numberofI an n ec ear ndi f nit hav ev v f mor nuanc post emi ss e oled ar e ed ionson t s i hi s ec,i r enty ,t Dowr Pr bionit c i ubj t n ec ear he y ohi t ss ont i nue t geta l ofs o ot uppor fom s tr ome i er i nt nat onal wor s net k t hel t hat p hem r emai polial f hi n ic l as onabl Si e t t y e. nc he wi gap bet de ween pr eptand pr t e,bet ec aci c ween what t s and whatt do,hasnev bot ed t e hey ay hey er her hes r orc l mit f nit,nots prsngl,t her nes het ial y lant emi ss i ur ii y he oi pr oduc bys h a ' gh- emot l on- ommoned uc hi oni ow- c on, s e' i ens antdowr c y ampai hav been asphonyast gn e he Dowr Pr bion Ac. y ohi t i t Phony Laws,Phony Heroines

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On May12,2004,mos nat t i onal paper and TV c s hannel s as s pl hed t sor oft ' oim and c age' 21 y ol he t y he her s our of ear d Niha Shar f havng c l t pol e t ares hergr s ma or i al he i o r t ed c oom and hi par son herweddi day al ng t t s ent ng , l egi hat hey had s uddenl demanded an addional l h asdowr fom herf her Sev al y t i 12 ak yr at . er women' or z i ,i l ng t s ganiat ons ncudi he Nat i onal Commison f W omen,ved wi eac ot t gie tophi and awar t Niha Shar s i or i t h h her o v r es ds o s ma,who ov ni er ght bec ame a nat i onalc hel up asa r e modelory ion d ol f oung women.Ev ynews er paperand TV c hannel ari l c red ong r eporsoft gl i s t he orous aga ofNiha Shar s ma.She bec ame an i t her ne oft i er i nsant oi he nt nat onal medi A New Yor a. k Ti mesc r pondents i l f down t I a t i er i Niha Shar ores pecal l y ew o ndi o nt vew s ma.Howev ,t t al er o he l i byt gr egat ons he oom' s f l t t fac on t weddi daywasnotc eat byt ami hat he r as y he ng r ed hem ov dowr buti t wasc eat bya f mer er y nsead r ed or boyrend ofNiha who c fi s ame wi hi fi t s rendst sop t mari byc eat a s ene,wer gien s ts i wi h o t he rage r i ng c e v hor hrf t t hout pr operi esi i Niha' f l di notdenyt herboyfi Nav nv t on. s s ami d gat y hat rend neethad t eat hr ened t obsr tt mari but o tuc he rage i it t t f wi t gr nssed hat he i ght t he oom' f l wasov addional h s ami y er t i dowr demands y . An unus as toft sc l tov dowr wast c t n i ual pec hi onfc er i y hat erai t emsl e a home t r s sem,r rger or aii k heate y t efi at , r c ondionerand was ng mac ne had been pur has i dupl at -one s f Niha and herhus t i hi hi c ed n i e c et or s band and a s ond ec s f t gr et or he oom' el br herand wi The j tiat gien f t ss ond dowr wast t gr s der ot f e. usic i f on v or hi ec y hat he oom' mot had s her demanded t e addionalt hes t i i emss t t sandar ofl i oft t br her woul notv yt muc Appar l o hat he t d i ng he wo ot s v d ar oo h. ent y t f s br her wi c he i t ot ' f omesfom a f l ofmodes means Ther or Niha' f herwasex t t brdge t gap r s e r ami y t . ef e, s s at peced o i he i t sandar ofl i oft t br her .W hat ert tut oft materon t font nei Niha norherf her n he t d i ng he wo ot s v ev he r h he t hat r , t her s at hi t f tt t f l had aleadys d he ac hat he ami y r pentRs 18 l h on buyng alt e goods Thus ev asperNiha' v son, . ak i lhes . , en s s er i t f wasov t al he i ght er he l eged addional t i demand ofRs12 l h,notov t gii ofdowr pers Niha' f heri . ak er he vng y e. s s at s r epored t hav t d t pr st t had ev t t o e ol he es hat hey en ape-ec ded eari phone c er at r or l er onv s i wi t gr ons t he oom' f l h s ami y afert had begun makng mor and mor demandsf dowr . t hey i e e or y Bot Niha and herf herr h s at epeat yj ti t Rs 18 l h ex edl usied he . ak f pendi e on dowr bys i t wer notagai t t ur y ayng hey e ns 'ol ar gii butwer oppos t ' v unt y vng' e ed o dowr demands.Nobodybot ed t as t y ' her o k hem bywhatsr c ofi teth magi i nat on t c d des rbe a whol r hey oul ci e ange ofex pensv gadget f t el br her f l as'ol ar gis f Niha. ie s or he der ot ' ami s y v unt y f 'or s t So el ed wer t ant dowr c at e he i y ampai swi n t medi aswelasamong NGOst ev bef e t sar ofc t gner t he hi a l hat en or he t t our pr eedi t pr e t al oc ngs o ov he l i l el byNiha agai tMunih Dal and hi mot ,ev bef e any egat ons ev ed s ns s al s her en or one bot ed t i esi e t aut ii orot wie ofMunih Dal ' c her o nv t gat he hent t cy her s s al ount al s er l i agai tNiha r egat ons ns s egar ng her di boyrend' r e i dir i t mari fi s ol n s upt he ng rage,a c hapt on herasan emul i worhyr e modelory er at on- t ol f oung women was i l ncuded i t s hoolexbook oft Del Sec n he c t t s he hi ondar Boar c rc um. y d uriul Thus f t publ atl ge,Munih Dal ' f l had been per , or he i c ar s al ami s y manent c l ondemned asguiyand t ral y l t hei l eged c i rme t ned i o a mor l s f gener i t c ur nt ales on or at ons o ome on t bassofhal bak medi r he i f ed a eporsev bef e t l t en or he owes t c ti t l pr our n he and onounc i v dit The Shar f l,byc r t hasbeen l z ast ed t er c. s ma ami y ontas, i ed oni hough t peror hey f med a gr her cdeed des t t pr ii oft ant dowr l t cearysat t bot t gierand t erofdowr eat oi pi he ovson e he i y aw hat l l t es hat h he v y 8 ofak 10

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ar l e f pr ec i No one wonder whyt wer notaresed f havng ofer Rs 18 l h dowr as ei abl or os ut on. ed hey e r t or i f ed . ak y i nduc ementt Munih Dal ' f l.A f mont l er medi per onsl ti er ti hersor ast al o s al ami s y ew hs at , a s os nt es n t y hey l egedl y dic er mor and mor hol i t v son oft diput Niha and herf l ofer s ov ed e e es n he er i he s e s ami f ed. y Consensus against Extortion The botom l i t Niha,l e mii ofot peopl bel est t v unt ygii ofgisand weal t i s hat s ne i k lons l her e, i ev hat he ol ar vng f t t h what erbe t amount-i perecl l t e,whi anyhi demanded byt gr ev he s f t egimat y i l e t ng he oom' f l oughtt be teat as s ami y o r ed an ofenc agai tt l iiex eedst payng c f e ns he aw ft c he i apact oft brde' f l orgoesbey i y he i s ami y ond t rwii hei lngnes t l so c ompl.I t i t s i and l y f hats he ocal egal ons us it i how l i acual enf c it dowr pr bion l c ens ,f hats aw s t l y or ed,f he y ohi t aw i c omesi o pl notwhen dowr i bei gien ort en butonl when t brde' f l l el c gesofc con and nt ay y s ng v ak y he i s ami ev s har y oer i bl k lt l cdemandst we s r t ant dowr l snc exori i i any ac mai hen ogi , hat c ap he i y aw i e t t s n on waya c i nal f e undert rmi ofenc he I an Penal ndi Code (PC) I . Alc esofdowr r at har s l as y el ed as mentc easl t be ti underr ev pr ii oft I asc esof an i hen y red el ant ovsons he PC as exori Si e t e i a br t t on. nc her s oad- ed c ens t exori s demandsar bot wr bas ons us hat t t onit e h ong and iegalenf cng s h l l , or i uc a l wi r uli gr ercart and beteri ement i ofi s ope and ambi aw l es tn eat l i l y t mpl at on t c s t .

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Today mos women end up usng t ant dowr l t bookhus , t i he i y aw o bandsf mal eat or t mentev idowr i nott c e r en f ys he aus ofmart br down.Thusant dowr l hasnotc bed t gii and t i ofdowr .I hasonl pr i a sr i al eak i y aw ur he vng akng y t y ovded tong weapon f r enge i t handsofwiesagai tt rhus or ev n he v ns hei bandsand i l ,whet ornott rc l ti ov dowr . n-aws her hei onfc s er i y Lawy sand ev pol e r i yadvs f l t l t' er en i out c nel ie amies o i dowr demands ast prmar c e ofmart vol e,ev i s y ' he i y aus i i enc al en ii acualac t si notatalt c e,ori onl a r at el mi f t i mart c l t W e hav f fn t f t hi s lhe as s y el i y nor acor n v i onfc. al i e ound t when hat we pr obed deeper women narat f mor c , r e ar e ompl soresofc l tt c ex t i onfc han ome outi t rsmpl t sat i n hei i i i t ement t t sc s o he pol e and l c t aboutdowr bei t c e ofalt rwoes i c aw ours y ng he aus lhei . Harm f Em phasis ul

I hasbec t ome polial f hi ic l as onabl t atrbut alf msofvol e and dic i nat agai twomen,i l ng t y e o ti e lor i enc s rmi i on ns ncudi f emal i ant i and f e nf i de c emal f ii t t ec e oet de o he onomi bur c c den ofdowr t a daught i s d t r es . y hat er s ai o epr ent Dowr r r y equiement ar us asanot ex us f c i i daught sa bur s e ed her c e or onsderng er den.The ant dowr mov i y ement by , l t i elt t c t r i i t f o he onsant epeti of' ming s ion t dowr aboli asa panac f women' empower y ion' t ea or s mentand ast prmar he i y sr egyf endi t roppr son,hasonl hel gie f t l t tat or ng hei es i y ped v urher egimac t t c ent i y o he onv i onal i t daught sar bel hat ef er e an ec onomi l ly ci i. abit Ther i lt ment ofex bi dowresc i t r n of e s il te i on or t ant i ausng he ui f l i t ler ur ofpr Brt h I a.Rui due t ex bi amies n he i at e i t e- is ndi i n o or t ant dowr pay y ment bec s ame a maj t or heme i ni eent c ur n net h ent y ler ur bec e t sperod wi s an unpr edent er i of i at e t aus hi i t nes ed ec ed oson women' ec s onomi i c mporanc and i i e rght due t t t e nhert anc i s o he manneri whih t c oni r er c red outl s t n c he ol al ul s ari and etl ement oper i i I a. at ons n ndi

I c or t wi Vit i nor t t wer f l wi i t rhome c n onf mi t coran y h ms hat hey e amiar t n hei i h ounty l entl r ,and iement wer gien t t s e v o ' e headsoft f l'by sng ourc t mal he ami , pas i y usomar l y awst al hat l owed v i c egoresofentl arous at i iement t women.Thi t so s c entat pr onc r ed operyi t handsofmen i an unpr edent wayand pav t wayf t dii i e of t n he n ec ed ed he or he snhert anc women.I addion,t r n t i he apacousl r enue demandsdr ned l ge amount oft ec i and ev ai ar s he onomi s pl fom t r al c ur us r he ur ec onomy I made t peas sexr .t he ant temel c h poor The desr t oftadional r t pus y as . tuci on r t i c afs hed l ge s t ar eci of ons i mpov ihed arian gr ers t s oupst f l kon t rs landhol ngsand t c equenti r i pr s e on l o albac hei mall di he ons nc easng es ur and made l owner hi besow s i powerand sat . and s p t pecal t us Howev ,wi r al ocet and arian gr er t ur s i y h t s oupsbec ng exr omi temel c h poor t tadion ofstridhan s y as , he r t i eemst hav o e bec ome bur dens ome.The tadional i ofdaught saspar a dhan gota new and deadl meani The t m r t i vew er ay i er ng. er par a dhan had t c ay he onnot i ofvewi women asweal Thi i an aptdes rpt i a s i yi whih women at on i ng t h. s s ci i n on ocet n c c red t rstridhan wi t ari hei t hem,t i,pr h hats operyt i t r byrghtTr t t hats heis i adional ,t entyofa brde i o hernew i l he r y i nt f l woul be r ered t ast c ng ofLak hmi Lak hmi i ) Ev t ami y d ef r o he omi s ( s aay hai. en odayv t esi oft tadion r ges hat r t emai i i n n mos c t ommunies A y t . oung brde ent s mart home wi hal (ur i)s ed f ,l i aus cousmar son i i er her i al t h di t merc oak eet eavng pii k t f ,mar sas ocat wi Lak hmigoddes ofweal he l oor k s i ed t h s , s t h. Aswomen wer i r i ydii i daught sbegan t appearasl li .Kany e nc easngl snhert ed, er o i ies abit adan,t gi ofa daught , he f t er bec ame nots muc a materofear ng dhar cmert(he mertofdoi one' r i ousdut)s muc asgeti rd of o h t ni mi it i ng s el gi y o h t i ng an unwant bur ed den.I i i t sc ex ofdev uat ofwomen' l esand mar nal at oft rec 10 ts n hi ont t al i on si v gi i i s on hei 9 ofonomi rght t c i s hat

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India Together: Anti-dowry legislation destined to fail - Manushi, Issue 148

dowr pay y ment began t as ume t f m ofoferngst a gr s o s he or f i o oom' f l s t t woul t e a bur s ami o hat hey y d ak den fom t r he brde' f l. i s ami y Thus ourmodem i i e l , nhert anc awshav i r i ymov i f ourofmen and agai tt i er t ofwomen.Al e nc easngl ed n av ns he nt ess l t ec hos ommuniest pr t ed matinealnhert e,s h ast Naisi Ker a,hav alo been f c t ough t hat aci i c rl i i i anc uc he r n al e s or ed hr l sat t mov t egil i o on e owar patinealnhert e.Sy t ds rl i i i anc semst pr i r onabl oradequat pr eci ofwomen' hat ovded eas e e ot t on s ec onomi rght hav been seamr l ed outofexsenc ci s e t ol er it e. The W ay Forward The pr entdaydowr s sem i I a s mbol est dii i e ofwomen and t des at ofpar st pus es y y t n ndi y i z he snhert anc he per i on ent o h t rdaught soutoft rhomesafermaryng t hei er hei t r i hem of,no materhow t safecst rwelbei Fai e t do s i f t hi f t hei l ng. l o ur os c i ed a s er si onsder ev e t gma on t f l' iz at (eput i .Si e t woman i bei s asa dii i he ami s z r y at on) nc he s ng ent snhert ed dependent t r eii f l hast be c , he ec vng ami y o ompens ed. at

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Onc women bec e ome equalnhert s par swi nothav t depend onl on s i i , ent l or l eo y onsand daught s i l f ol age er -n-aw or d s urt bec e daught st wi be empower t t e c e oft rpar s Thi wi mak f l l smal c rc ec i y aus er oo l l ed o ak ar hei ent. s l l e amies es i e- enti and t ef e,l spr her or es one t vol t ses W e need t c o i ent us l . o ombatt c t e ofdii i e iwe wih t efeciel he ul ur snhert anc f s o f t y v c ombatt gr ng hol ofdowr c t e.Fort st f l ng sepsar l el t wor betert ant dowr l : he owi d y ul ur hi he ol owi t ei yo k k t han i y aws Enc age par st ough wi pr our ent hr des ead,hi pr i c gh ofe ampai ,t gi mai yi omel gns o f t nl nc gener i f msof at or ng pr operyt t rdaught s(and,hous orbusnes s es dependi on t ec t o hei er l e i s har ) ng he onomi sat oft f l. c t us he ami y

Enc age t e par swho c afor it ens e t t rdaught hasa hous r our hos ent an f d t o ur hat hei er e, oom orev a j en huggin i herown name s t s i nev r o hat he s er ender homel s c nev be ' own outoft hous . ed es , an er t hr he e'

Madhu Purnim a Kishwar Manus ,Is 148 hi s ue ( ihed J y2005 i I a Toget ) publ s ul n ndi her

-Thi is ofManus :Tabl ofCont s s s ue hi e ent -Dowr y -W omen' Laws s -Laws -Feedbac :Teluswhaty t nkoft saril k l ou hi hi t e c

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Amend t Hi Suc es i Ac t gie c he ndu c son t o v opar enar rght t daught satparwi s c yi so er t onsast sat of h he t es Andhr Pr a ades Kar ak and Tami h, nat a l nadu hav aleadydone. e r

Amend t Hi Suc es i Ac t mak iiegalo r i ydii idaught st ough t rwisunl s he ndu c son t o e tl l t out nel snhert er hr hei l l es t c pr i sr hey an ovde tong exenuat cr umsanc f doi s t i ic ng t es or ng o.

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