Dowry system is one of the worst evils of Indian society. It began as a voluntary custom but social pressure made it nearly universal. Dowry is now both a joy for the husband and his family who receive cash and gifts from the bride's family, but a curse for the bride's parents who bear huge costs. Brides often face harassment, insults and abuse from in-laws demanding more dowry. When pressure increases, brides sometimes feel their only option is suicide. The dowry system must be eradicated at any cost through united effort from all parts of society and stronger enforcement of anti-dowry laws along with reducing marriage expenses.

1. R.V.T.C, Valakom
COMPOSITION
Dowry system in India
Jayarani V
Reg No.
English

2. In our Indian society there are numerous problems like superstitions, illiteracy, caste
system and dowry system etc. One the worst evil of Indian society is dowry system. The word
dowry means the property and money that a bride brings to her husband’s house at the time of
her marriage. It is a custom that is prevalent in all the sections of our society in one form or the
other. At the beginning it was voluntary but later on the social pressure was such that very few
could escape from it.
The dowry at present is a source of both joy and curse in the society. It is also a joy to the
husband and his relatives who get cash, costly dress and utensils, furniture, wedding materials
etc. But it is a curse to the bride’s parents who have to bear enormous cost to satisfy the
unreasonable demands of the bridegroom’s party. A demand of dowry does not diminish even
after marriage. The in-low of the bride are very much ready in Indian homes to inflict
harassment, insults and tortures both mental and physical. When more pressure is put on the
bride’s parents, their dear daughter has no other option but to commit suicide to avoid more
insults and torture at the hands of the members of her husband’s family.
This case of dowry system must be eradicated forth with any cost. Women from every
walk of life, literate or illiterate, poor or rich, young or old must unite together and come forward
to protect their own honour and interest. At public pressure the government has promulgated
certain anti-dowry laws. But these have not produced the desired results. People’s effort are also
necessary to remove this evil once for all. The high expenditure of the marriage ceremony must
be cut down.