The Hindu : Dowry menace linked to `false prestige'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 22, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

Dowry menace linked to `false prestige'

By Our Staff Correspondent

PADOOR (UDUPI DT.), FEB. 21. The President of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat, U. Vanajakshi, on Saturday called upon people to take a pledge not to give or receive dowry.

She was speaking as the chief guest at a public meeting organised by the Varadakshine Nirmulana Samiti here. Ms. Vanajakshi said that many people were taking dowry for maintaining their "false prestige". While most often, husbands or husbands' families sought dowry, in some cases, even wives were seeking dowry from their parents or pestering their husbands to ask for dowry, she added. While the rich sought more dowry, the poor sought less. It was important to eradicate the dowry system. Ms. Vanajakshi noted that while women's organisations initially supported the dowry victim, they forgot about her after a week or two, completely leaving the victim to the mercy of her fate. It was essential to sustain the support, she said.

The Superintendent of Police, S. Murugan, said the dowry menace was more pronounced in India than in other countries as high importance was attached to marriage in the country. He noted that unemployment and under-employment of women, combined with a low literacy rate, had strengthened the dowry system.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News Update

Stories in this Section

Kambar decries globalisation

Govt. favours private-public tie up in education

Ministers laud Stree Shakti groups

Importance of water harvesting stressed

Workers told to ensure Congress success in polls

Dowry menace linked to `false prestige'

Four held, copper wire recovered