File picture of students outside a Bhubaneswar college

Bhubaneswar, April 20: Stringent anti-dowry laws are already in place, but now, the state government wants to take the battle against it to the social plane.

In a move to curb dowry related violence in Odisha, the government has made it mandatory for students in colleges and universities to submit a written pledge not to give or take dowry. “The pledge against ragging has helped students become more alert, submitting a written vow against dowry will do a lot towards creating awareness against the social evil,” says Sreshtha Mishra, a Plus Three student of BJB (Autonomous) College.

Lauding the move as a “great step” with “lasting impact”, Sreshtha said: “It will motivate, inspire and sensitise students about the social evil and help bring about a positive change in mindsets, especially among the boys.”

A circular making the pledge mandatory has been sent to all government colleges, government junior colleges, government Sanskrit colleges, all non-government colleges and registrars of universities. The authorities have been asked to ensure that all students take the pledge against dowry.

This had been done to generate anti-dowry awareness and ensure enforcement of the law, said officials of the higher education department, adding that the direction had been issued following a recommendation by the women and child development department.

The amended Rule 8 (C) (3) (III) of the Orissa Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Rules, 2010, states that “pledges shall be administered to students in schools and colleges and other institutions not to give or take dowry”.

The women and child development department had recently written to the higher education department asking it to put it into practice.

“Students of Class IX and X will be asked to submit the written pledge. This has been done to create awareness among young learners to check the dowry menace,” said joint secretary of the women and child development department Abani Pattnaik.

The state has recently seen an increase in the number of dowry related cases. According to the latest figures (as per the latest White Paper on Crime), a total of 2,501 dowry torture cases were reported in different police stations in the state in 2011. In previous years, the number has been lower with 2,378 and 2,128 dowry related cases reported in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

“This is definitely a welcome step. If this pledge makes an impact on the minds of even a small group of students, it will be a big achievement. Moreover, students will spread the word against dowry among close relatives which will certainly bring a positive change,” said Suresh Patnaik, principal of BJB (Autonomous) College.

“Very few people realise how violent the Odisha society is against women when it comes to dowry related violence. Only a strong movement can counter this. Involving students and making them believe in the cause is definitely a good way of going about it,” said sociologist Suchismita Nayak.