Marriage is such a happy occasion that everyone looks forward to it. But it is a shame that the dowry system widely prevalent in India mars the happiness of this occasion in many cases.

Since ancient times, the parents of the bride have indulged willingly in the practice of giving money and gifts at her wedding as a token. The serious form of so-called dowry system in India had developed into a full-fledged bargaining today and become the main issue of a girl’s marriage whereas all other considerations of much more real value and importance like girl’s family background qualifications, merits, etc. are altogether set aside. Due to the varying reasons such as status of boy’s family, qualifications, merits, etc., the increasing demands made by the boy’s parents are proving to be of a great burden to girl’s parents, resulting into very late marriage, suicides by the bride or deaths due to bride-burning.

It is high time the present generation, young boys and girls as well as the society opposed this system and stood up for equality of both sexes to remove the blot of dowry system from the face of our society.

Dowry is a good custom and practice for those who can afford it. But for the poor, it is a curse. The government has enacted many laws to check its misuse. Officially speaking, no parent or family can demand dowry. But still it continues to cast its baneful grip on society.

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The young men and young women should rise to face this malady and root it completely. Mere laws cannot wipe out this slur on fair name of mother India where the women occupy a place of pride. Education has already weakened its vicious hold. More and voluntary organizations should come forward to better the lot of women in India. And the removal of dowry system should be the top on the agenda of social reform both in cities and in villages.