South Asians and the Dowry Problem

"Each year, in India and among South Asian communities settled across the world, thousands of young brides lose their lives over dowry disputes. They are burnt, killed or maimed by husbands and in-laws whose material demands remain unfulfilled. This book brings together contributors from various fields–lawyers, economists, scholars and activists–who review the law on dowry and the problems of its enforcement in India, as well as the worrying increase in dowry deaths among the South Asian community settled in Britain. The contributors do not treat dowry as merely a matter of criminal or property law. Recognising it as an immensely complex and complicated phenomenon in South Asian societies, they delve into its social, economic and historical roots. Among the issues discussed are: the notion that dowry is a middle-class phenomenon; the economic explanations of dowry; legal strategies for curbing the dowry system; the geographical distribution of dowry deaths; the hurdles in the way of implementing the anti-dowry law; and the growing incidence of dowry-related problems among the Gujaratis and Sikhs settled in Britain. Overall, this volume strives to unravel the causes of dowry-related violence and to explain how such barbaric acts can be restricted. In conclusion, a practical strategy towards eradicating dowry and brideburning is delineated along with a new research agenda on the problem. This timely and path-breaking work will interest those in the fields of gender studies, sociology, anthropology, and low, as also activists concerned with the dowry issue and women’s problems."