Dowry a cross-cultural evil that has disguised itself as ‘gifts’ and social expectations: Supreme Court judgment
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Vulnerable sections (SC/ST, minorities, disabled, elderly, children)· Mains·
Why in news
The Supreme Court of India ruled that dowry is a 'cross-cultural evil' that violates women's rights and constitutional principles, often disguised as gifts or social expectations.
Background
Justice Sanjay Karol authored the judgment, noting that dowry is used to maintain social status and has become prevalent in Muslim families in urban areas. The court ordered the government and states to address the issue through educational reforms and prompt disposal of dowry cases.
Facts for Prelims
- PostJustice Sanjay Karol authored the Supreme Court judgment on dowry.
- FactThe court identified dowry as a practice often disguised as 'gifts' or social expectations.
- FactThe court noted the prevalence of dowry in urban Muslim families as a replacement for traditional practices like mehr.
For Mains
Q. Critically analyze how the persistence of dowry, despite legal prohibitions, reflects deep-seated socio-cultural barriers to gender equality in India.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Societal normalization: Evolution of dowry into 'gifts' to bypass legal scrutiny
- Institutional bottleneck: Delays in the disposal of dowry-related criminal cases
- Cultural shift: Replacement of traditional practices like mehr with dowry in urban settings
Keywords: Constitutional principles · Gender equality · Socio-cultural barriers · Legal prohibition · Educational reform
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.