India's Supreme Court Cracks Down on Dowry, Seeks Curriculum Changes to End 'Evil Practice'

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In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has emphasized the need to eradicate dowry, a practice that undermines women's equality and dignity. The court has directed the Centre and states to consider amending education curricula to raise awareness about the dangers of dowry and to promote a culture of equality in marriage.The judgment, delivered in a 24-year-old dowry-related case, observed that eliminating dowry is not only a matter of enforcing the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, but a constitutional imperative that ensures every woman enters marriage as an equal citizen, not as a burdened individual.The court noted that the system of dowry has devolved from its original intent of ensuring women's well-being to an institutionalized 'groom price theory,' where women are undervalued across all religions. To address this, the court has directed the Centre and states to consider revising education curricula to inform and educate future generations about the evil practice of dowry and its consequences.The judgment also highlighted the need for a concerted effort from the legislature, law enforcement, judiciary, and civil society organizations to eradicate dowry. The court has directed dowry prohibition officers to be appointed and trained, and police officials and judicial officers to receive periodic training to appreciate the social and psychological implications of dowry cases.Further, the court has requested high courts to collect data on pending dowry-related cases for expeditious disposal. The judgment has also directed a copy of the judgment to be circulated to all high courts and chief secretaries, seeking affidavits on compliance with the court's directions.The Supreme Court's judgment marks a significant step towards ending the scourge of dowry in India, a practice that continues to claim lives and undermine women's dignity despite being outlawed.