The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 declared the exchange of dowries illegal. But despite it being outlawed, the insidious practice of dowry continues to plague the Indian society at large. Not just in rural parts of the country, but even amidst the most educated and polished lot will you find women’s families who are being forced to give dowry at the time of marriage.
In a heartbreaking incident that happened recently, a 26-year-old doctor in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram who was a PG student in the surgery department of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, died by suicide in her rented apartment. According to NDTV, she committed suicide after her boyfriend allegedly refused to marry her as her family could not fulfil dowry demands.
The groom’s family demanded 150 gold sovereigns, 15 acres of land and a BMW car in dowry. After the woman’s family said that they wouldn’t be able to fulfil the dowry demands, the boyfriend’s family cancelled the wedding.
In the suicide note that was found in the woman’s apartment, it was written, “Everyone wants money only.”
A police case has been registered against the boyfriend under the abetment to suicide charge and dowry prevention laws and he has been arrested.
This incident has caused a massive uproar on social media and several people have been slamming the practice of dowry. Many highlighted how such a thing taking place in a state that boasts of its education and literacy is shameful.
62 yrs after India outlawed dowry, an average of 7,000 women die each year in dowry deaths. A 26-year-old doctor in Kerala the latest in this terrible statistic. The demand from her boyfriend's family: 15 sovereigns gold, 4 acres land & a BMW. https://t.co/70UzvaVNcF
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 7, 2023
What sort of "boyfriend" wants a BMW, acres of land, 150 gold sovereigns as dowry? Hope he spends a long time in jail. although it won't bring back this talented young woman 🙁https://t.co/BhKAnKvDfn
— Rituparna (@MasalaBai) December 7, 2023
2 of my college seniors were in relation that lasted throughout college. Both were smart & loved by everyone. To our astonishment, after graduating he asked for a huge dowry from the girl.
He knew she would break-off & he happily married an ultra rich NRI to move to the US. https://t.co/tQaQfq6FlW— JD (@jillsdaniel) December 7, 2023
And they say that Dowry system only exists among the uneducated.
Here’s a Doctor, who’s family demanded 50 lakhs cash, BMW car, 150 gold sovereigns.
“Educated people” my ass! https://t.co/7Zy8hDl1sD
— unawarewolf (@yadudewhatever) December 7, 2023
she didnt commit suicide. this is the sanctioned social murder of women for dowry. https://t.co/W2UtsP7ESP
— 🏴📻💌 (@bambaiyya__) December 8, 2023
She was a Gen Surgery resident in our college, And He is an Ortho resident. In the most reputed Govt Medical Institution of the "most literate" state. Education apparently doesn't makes people free of all the social evils always. https://t.co/p79mxPKyeT
— mikku☸︎🩺 (@plsNahiYar) December 7, 2023
Boy math is calling women gold diggers and then demand gold and BMW from a woman who is a doctor.
Can't believe this is happening even in 2023. Says a lot about how wretched our society is, irrespective of the geographical location of the state. https://t.co/lOGER3p4Fu
— 𝖀𝖕𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓𝖆 𝕭𝖆𝖓𝖊𝖗𝖏𝖊𝖊 ☀️ (@UpasonaB) December 7, 2023
What can be more depressing than this? She’s a doctor and blessed with good looks but she was made to believe that her worth be calculated in cash, gold and a BMW!! https://t.co/9hhOWCrgkE
— Sucheta Dalal (@suchetadalal) December 8, 2023
A suicide note found at her apartment read, “Everyone wants money only”, it is learnt.
And she was absolutely right . MONEY is EVERYTHING when it comes to Most marriages in 🇮🇳. There is no denying this BITTER TRUTH .
🙁🙁
— Prashant (@sasguy235) December 7, 2023
A promising life has been lost because of this social evil!