Apoorva Shetty, Pursuing LLM (Business and Trade Law) from Karnataka State Law University, Hubbali
ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on examining the interrelationship between the practice of the dowry system and suicide in India. Dowry is the act of giving cash, gold, property, valuables, etc., by the bride’s family to the bridegroom / his family. Dowry, which started as a simple custom, has today become a major social evil taking away the lives of innocent women. Even though there are several legal provisions in India to tackle the problems associated with this social evil, it is a sad reality that dowry-related deaths continue to exist even today. Even now, many women lose their lives to this cruel custom. The practice of dowry is strongly condemned as it not only demeans a woman but also poses a great threat to her life. Dowry is not only prevalent among the uneducated section of society but is also followed by the so-called educated class. In India dowry system has turned into a mafia wherein violence is used as an instrument to extort more and more from the bride and her family. Dowry is a social problem resulting in mental abuse, physical torture, unnecessary economic burden, murder, depression, suicide, etc., of women. This study throws light on various causes for the development of the dowry system and how the practice of dowry has drawn women towards suicide over the years. The paper also focuses on various legislations that have been enacted in order to eliminate this societal cancer.
Keywords: Dowry, Dowry Deaths, Violence, Suicide, Women, Education, Legislation
