Ranchi, Dec. 10: Jharkhand women in the 21st century may juggle their laptops and ladles with equal ease, but age-old social crimes such as brides being burnt for dowry show no signs of decline.
Official statistics suggest a rise in the number of dowry deaths and cases registered under Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, indicating a mixed bag of social trends.
According to National Crime Records Bureau, as many as 222 cases of dowry deaths have already been recorded between January and September this year. In 2011, Jharkhand registered 402 cases under Dowry Prohibition Act. In 2014, the number rose 1,538.
Also, if in 2011, the number of dowry deaths in Jharkhand was 282, in 2014, it rose to 350.
The obvious negative is that the practice of grooms and their families coercing brides for cash and gifts continues. But, on the positive side, rising numbers indicate that the "hush-it-up" stigma is on the wane. Parents of daughters, who earlier used to order their daughters to suffer in silence, seem to be approaching police stations for justice.
But, despite brides and their parents coming forward, police personnel, women's activists and NGOs continue to be worried.
A.K. Singh, director of NGO LEADS, said despite workshops, campaigns, drives, wall writings at prominent places or punishments/convictions for the guilty, harassment for dowry, including domestic violence, murders and suicides, happens at homes.
"There has neither been a decrease in dowry cases nor in violence against women though even women's movements have been fighting against these. India has Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, to empower women. Still, numbers indicate social prejudices are slow to change," he said.
Besides Dowry Prohibition Act, Section 304B was added to IPC, which made dowry death an offence punishable with prison sentences ranging between seven years and life. Also, 304B says that if a woman dies of burns, injuries or through suspicious circumstances within seven years of her marriage, with evidence of cruelty or harassment by her husband/ in-laws regarding dowry before the death, then the man and his relatives would be deemed to have caused the death.
Section 3 of The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, specifically incorporates harassment and harm inflicted on a woman to extract dowry.
Even though laws are in place, Sampat Meena, state IG, CID, and one of Jharkhand's most respected policewomen, said dowry was more a social crime.
"Girls' parents need to play major role in preventing pressure and torture for dowry. If parents are aware of dowry demands, they must involve police to unmask the groom's family before it is too late. Timely action is a must."
Mahua Maji, chairperson of state commission for women, urged for aggressive over all campaigns. "Figures are the tip of the iceberg. Violence against women is deep-seated in society. Or else, why should a woman need to come to a new household with cash and gifts as if to compensate for her being there?" she asked.
Maji added that every case that reached her at the women's commission was diverse. "The common factor is one or other form of violence towards women. So instead of commenting on dowry, I will say violence against women has not diminished. More convergent efforts by families, women's organisations, police and judicial systems to safeguard women are needed," Maji added.
NGO worker Singh added that a new generation must be brought up in a way where both girls and boys regard dowry as the aberration, not norm. "It will take time, but we must start by changing young minds," he said.
