How Society Has 'Normalized' Dowry By Embedding It Deeply In The Social Mindset
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2025-09-12 07:00:01
About the Author
Nikki Bhatti was recently burnt to death, allegedly after her parents could not meet dowry demands. She was just a recent addition to a long list of women killed for dowry. The dowry system is not a recent concern but a deeply embedded practice within society's mindset.
Dowry-related deaths or crimes are not isolated incidents - they form part of long-standing social norms and expectations. These norms, which oppose giving women equal status to men, have persisted through generations. When we examine the problem seriously, it becomes clear that dowry is not just a legal or policing issue - it is deeply intertwined with the way society thinks and functions.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, more than six thousand dowry death cases were recorded in 2022 alone. On average, nearly 17 deaths per day occurred due to dowry-related issues between 2017 and 2022. Many cases never reach the police due to social and familial pressure, fear, and stigma. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh reported the highest numbers, highlighting how deeply rooted the issue is in specific regions. The recent killing of Nikki Bhatti has brought the issue in focus again.
Though the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 was enacted to curb dowry practices, and stricter provisions have been included in the Indian Penal Code, enforcement remains weak. Cases often remain under reported, and victims' families face immense societal and financial pressure not to pursue justice. The process of giving evidence in court is daunting, with delays and repeated hearings exhausting victims and witnesses alike.
Dowry not only affects women physically and mentally but also disrupts family harmony. It worsens mental health, strains relationships, and, in extreme cases, leads to suicide. Women often suffer silently because of societal expectations and economic dependence on their in-laws.
Several attempts have been made to address this issue, including stricter penalties and awareness campaigns. Yet, these efforts have not been sufficient. Education plays a vital role in reshaping the mindset. Families need to teach children about equality from an early age. Women must be empowered through education and financial independence, and employment opportunities should be expanded so they can lead self-reliant lives.
If society continues to see sons as assets and daughters as burdens, the dowry system will persist. Also, daughters will continue to be killed in the womb as the ban on the fetus detection test is just on paper and many clinics are more than willing to perform the test, for a hefty fee. Only when daughters are viewed as equal stakeholders in family wealth and society can dowry demands decline.
It is high time for comprehensive reforms. The focus should not only be on punishment but also on creating an environment where dowry is socially unacceptable. Legal systems must be made more accessible and supportive to victims, and community-driven initiatives must encourage families to reject dowry altogether.
The battle against dowry is ultimately a fight for dignity, equality, and justice. Until society confronts its deep-seated prejudices, no law or policy will be enough to uproot this practice. Only by redefining the way we value and treat women can we hope to eliminate dowry from our lives.
