Author: Kapil Datta
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: June 3, 2003
URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/printedition/030603/detFRO03.shtml
They've seen Nisha Sharma, a girl
in their neighbourhood in Noida, send back her groom and his family from
the wedding because they wanted dowry; they've seen a groom die accidentally
in some celebratory shooting. Now Gujjars in the area have announced a
ban on dowry and ostentatious weddings.
On Sunday, leaders from over a hundred
Gujjar villages (about 20,000 families) gathered in a Maha Panchayat and
announced they would boycott anyone who violated their directives and offered
or accepted a dowry. They also said no firearms, liquor, bands or DJs would
now be allowed at Gujjar weddings.
Gujjar leaders have set up a committee
under former Rajya Sabha member and Kisan leader Ramchandra Vikal to educate
people and eradicate dowry from their community. Other members of the committee
include UP Minister for Prisons Ved Ram Bhatti and former MLAs Narendra
Bhatti and Samir Bhatti.
At the meeting, Gujjar Samaj leaders
felt dowry had lately become an even greater menace for them. Gujjars had
prospered on the compensation they got for their land in Noida and Greater
Noida and weddings had become ostentatious occasions to exhibit their newly-acquired
wealth.
Vikal said, "Even dowries worth
lakhs do not guarantee the safety of women. They are still tortured and
forced to commit suicide, and greedy people do not hesitate to burn or
beat a bride to death. The more you give, the greedier they become."
Community leaders said that instead
of saving up for dowries, parents should educate their daughters and ensure
they plan a career and are financially independent. Also, mass, dowryless
weddings should be organised, they said.
Though members of the community
welcomed their leaders' directives, several were doubtful about their implementation.
It was up to the affluent members to stop the dowry trend, they felt.
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Marriage guidelines
Can Do
At engagement: Re 1, silver or gold
coin; at Bhaat: Rs 101-5,100; at Vidai: Rs 101
Can't Do
Display dowry items at wedding;
bands, DJs, firearms, liquor, 'donations'
