BABU BANARASI DAS
NORTHERN INDIA INSTITUTE OF
TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
TOPIC-DOWRY SYSTEM IN INDIA
PROJECT
SUBJECT NAME: Universal Human Value
(SUBJECT CODE: BVE301)
ACADEMIC SESSION: 2023-2024
NAME: UNDER GUIDANCE OF:
RATNESH TRIPATHI
ARJUN VARMA
SHIVAM PRASAD
DR. LAXMI VAJPEYI
ABHINAV
PRAGYA
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks
of gratitude to my teacher Dr Laxmi
Vajpeyi who gave me the golden
opportunity to do this wonderful project of
Universal Human Value on "Dowry System",
Who also helped me in completing my
project. I came to know about so many
new things I am really thankful to them.
Secondly i would also like to thank my
parents and friends who helped me a lot in
finalizing this project within the limited time
frame.
INTRODUCTION
The Dowry system in India has been running for a long
time. It is the money that is given during marriage to the
boy or their family, even property can also be included in
dowry.
The system of dowry started in ancient times during marriage
the money will be given to the groom so that he can take
proper care of his bride, it was used to honour both sides of
the family. As time changes dowry still remains in society but
its significance keeps changing with time.
Nowadays, the dowry system is becoming like a business for
some castes. The Dowry system is becoming a burden for
the bride’s family. Many time if demand is not fulfilled for
the boy's side then the marriage is abruptly canceled as a
result of this failure. If we see it in our Asian country, then
dowry is becoming more important for the groom's side,
mainly in countries like India. To end this heinous social
practice, the government has made a law to refrain people
from taking dowry under the Act of 1961.
CAUSES FOR DOWRY SYSTEM
RELIGIOUS FACTORS
Dowry in India is not limited to any specific religion. It is widespread
among Hindus and other religions. For example, Indian Muslims call
dowry as jahez, justify the practice in terms of jahez-e-fatimi.
SOCIAL FACTORS
The structure and kinship of marriage in parts of India contributes to
dowry. In the north, marriage usually follows a patrilocal (lives with
husband's family) system, where the bride is a non-related member of
the family
ECONOMIC FACTORS
There are many economic factors that contribute towards the system of dowry.
Some of these include inheritance systems and the bride's economic status.
Some suggestions point to economics and weak legal institutions on inheritance
place women in disadvantage, with inheritances being left only to sons. This
leaves women dependent upon their husbands and in-laws, who keep the dowry
when she marries
LAWS AGAINST DOWRY
DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT, 1961
The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 consolidated the anti-dowry laws
which had been passed on certain states. This legislation provides for a
penalty in section 3 if any person gives, takes or abets giving or
receiving of dowry. The punishment could be imprisonment for
minimum 5 years and a fine more than 15,000 or the value of the
dowry received, whichever is higher. Dowry in the Act is defined as any
property or valuable security given or agreed to be given in connection
with the marriage. The penalty for giving or taking dowry is not
applicable in case of presents which are given at the time of marriage
without any demand having been made.
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
("Domestic Violence Act") was passed in order to provide a civil law
remedy for the protection of women from domestic violence in India
. The Domestic Violence Act encompasses all forms of physical, verbal,
emotional, economic and sexual abuse and forms a subset of the anti-
dowry laws to the extent it is one of the reasons for domestic violence
. Section 3 of the Domestic Violence Act specifically incorporates all
forms of harassment, injury and harms inflicted to coerce a woman to
meet an unlawful demand for dowry.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN INDIA
Domestic violence includes a broad spectrum of abusive and
threatening behaviour which includes physical, emotional,
economic and sexual violence as well as intimidation, isolation and
coercion. There are laws like the Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act 2005 that help to reduce domestic violence
and to protect women's rights.
ABETMENT TO SUICIDE
Continuing abuse by the husband and his family with threats of
harm could lead to a woman committing suicide. In such situations,
the dowry crime even extends to abetment of suicide, which
includes all acts and attempts to intentionally advise, encourage, or
assist in committing suicide . The impact of dowry.
DOWRY MURDER
Dowry deaths and dowry murder relate to a bride's suicide or killing
committed by her husband and his family soon after the marriage
because of their dissatisfaction with the dowry. It is typically the
culmination of a series of prior domestic abuses by the husband's
family. Most dowry deaths occur when the young woman, unable to
bear the harassment and torture, commits suicide by hanging
herself or consuming poison. Dowry deaths also include bride
burning where brides are doused in kerosene and set ablaze by the
husband or his family
IMPACT OF DOWRY SYSTEM
Gender Discrimination: Due to the dowry system, many a
times it has been seen that women are seen as a liability and
are often subjected to subjugation and are given second hand
treatment may it be in education or other amenities.
Affecting Career of Women: The larger context for the practice
of dowry is the poor presence of women in the workforce, and
their consequent lack of financial independence.
Many Women End Up Being Unmarried: An uncountable
number of girls in the country, despite being educated and
professionally competent remain endlessly unmarried because
their parents cannot fulfil the demand for pre-marriage
dowry.
Objectification of Women: Contemporary dowry is more
like an investment by the bride's family for plugging into
powerful connections and money making opportunities.
Crime Against Women: In some cases, the dowry system leads
to crime against women, ranging from emotional abuse and
injury to even deaths.
CONCLUSION
We as the citizens of India, marching towards the
new millennium, should also strive for the
discontinuation of this evil practice. Dowry is a
black spot on the bright face of the country. But it
cannot be done away by the elderly people. Only
the younger generation can do it.
