The document discusses the history and issues surrounding dowry practices in India. It notes that while the Dowry Prohibition Act was enacted in 1961 to ban the practice, dowry continues throughout India. The act has been amended twice, in 1984 and 1986, but enforcement has been lacking. To more effectively address dowry, the document recommends social awareness programs, education reform, restricting marriage expenses, and stronger legal punishments for offenders. Overall, eliminating dowry requires both more effective laws and enforcement, as well as changing social mindsets.

1. BY
RAHEEMA A.V
LLM –
SECOND YEAR ,GLC THRISSUR

2.  Enactment of Dowry Prohibition Act
 Failed to curb the evil system
 Practicing through the country
 Symbol of high social prestige and rank
 The Act amended twice
 First in 1984 – Basic changes
Secondly in 1986 – Punishment
 The tendency of people to legislating an Act
signifies their onward trend towards civilization
 Need of the society to analyze the Act

3.  Valuable consideration
 Practice of Dowry under different names
 Manu in his scriptures abhorred the practice
 Dowry in any form not sanctioned by Hindu
religion
 Presents of stridhan considered as part of
sacred culture
 Stridan for economic security
 Women has complete jural right

4.  Before Independence
 Province govt. of Sind
 To deal effectively with dowry
 Provision for prohibiting giving and taking of
dowry
 Prescribed limits
 Could not create the desired effect

5.  The transition of bride price to dowry –
signifies social change in the field of marriage
 Dowry is an economic burden
 Promoted girls intanticide
 Enacted Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act
1971
 Decreasing economic participation is an a
reason
 Marriage settlement
 Education bad effect

6.  Considering dowry as a share in the family
property
 Advert of Hindu Succession Act – make the
agreement as baseless

7.  Popularity of dowry increased
 Old concept of marriage changed to
commercial concept
 Age of marriage also increased dowry system
 Girls were compelled to commit suicide
 Crimes increased

8.  Works of social reformers
 Effect of the reaction –SIND – DETI –LETI Act
1939
 Clause 1 sec : 93 of Hindu Code Bill
 Both attempt dowry was not prohibited
 State enactment

9. DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT - 1961

10.  Sec : 2 defines dowry
 Only excludes dower
 Prohibit giving and taking of dowry
 Abetment or demand of dowry are punishable
 Equally applicable to all community

11.  Dictionary meaning is different from given in the
Act
 Nothing is to be treated as dowry unless it is
shown have been given as consideration
 Not prescribed any limit on expenses of marriage
 As consideration of marriage was substituted
word in connection with marriage
 New definition excluded the wedding presents
 It is not possible to determines what constitute
wedding presents

12.  Demanding Dowry
 Taking , giving , abetting
 Dowry Death
 Cruelty by husband and relatives – sec : 498 A

13.  Absence of any proper and effective
enforcement agency

14.  Sec : 2 definition of Dowry
 Lack of enforcement machinery
 Spread of education does not change the mind
of people

15.  Compulsory registration of marriage
 Social awareness program
 Inclusion of educational material in the text book from primary class
 Promotion of the inter-cast marriage
 Banning of pro-marriage ceremony
 Restriction on expenses
 Declaration by govt. servants
 Investigation of cases
 Reservation for women
 Free legal aid to victims
 Family Court
 Equal rights to Son & Daughter
 Common Civil Code
 Restriction on divorce
 Conviction of offenders
 Punchayath should take initiative
 Progress in the activities of women’s commission

16.  Need of the society to eradicate the social evil
 Effective law
 Effecting enforcing machinery
 Rigorous punishment