India dowry cases soar

By Jyotsna Singh BBC correspondent in Delhi

Cases of prospective bridegrooms' families demanding a dowry from the bride have soared in India, even though the custom is outlawed, according to a new book.

Activists urged women to unite in opposing dowries

The book, based on a survey of 17 states across the country, attempts to document the growing menace of dowry in contemporary India.

Women activists and rights group working against what they describe as one of the biggest social evils in India, told a press conference in Delhi that the practice of dowry has spread far more widely among communities and regions where it was virtually non-existent until four decades ago.

At the launch of a book - Expanding Dimensions of Dowry - they called for a national campaign to create social awareness and social consensus to abolish the dowry system.

They urged women to organise themselves as a group to oppose dowry in the light of some shocking revelations.

"Already in the mid-1970s the committee on the Status of Women in India and the women's movement had noted the manner in which dowry had spread much beyond the Hindu upper castes among whom it had traditionally been practised and restricted to, as a mark of the status.

"Since then, dowry has deepened its tentacles and spread to more groups of middle and lower castes among Hindus Muslims Christians and tribals..." the book says.

Support among women

A survey involving 10,000 people carried out by the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) in India formed the basis of the book.

"Nearly 35% of women supported dowry. Most of them justified the practice as their share in the parental property and wealth, said AIDWA's general secretary Vrinda Karat.

The book rejects dowry as a substitute for equal rights in inheritance.

It also says inter-caste marriages should be encouraged and guidance should be provided to enable men to get better jobs.

In May this year, Nisha Sharma from Delhi was hailed for raising her voice against dowry by calling off her marriage.

But such instances are few and far between.

Women activists say a more vigorous campaign and effective implementation of the law are needed to tackle the problem.