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The Government has decided to step up anti-dowry literacy among people through the media. This follows a direction from the Supreme Court to the Centre and the State Governments to take effective steps to implement the provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 with particular reference to Sections III & IV which deal with, among other things, maintenance of lists of presents to the bride and bridegroom.
In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court also directed to activate the Dowry Prohibition Officers. The Apex Court directed the Central Government to frame rules under Section 9 (2) (B) of the Act, if it has not already been framed, and take steps to ensure that submission of the list as contemplated by the Act and Rules is strictly implemented. It asked the Centre and the State Governments to consider whether appropriate rules can not be framed for compelling males, seeking government employment, to furnish information on whether they had taken dowry and if taken, whether the same had been made over to the wife as contemplated by Section 6 of the Act, calling for such information also from those already in employment. The Court observed :
“The conscience of the society needs to be fully awakened to the evils of the dowry system so that the demand for dowry itself should lead to loss of face in the society for those who demand it. We have no doubt that our young and enlightened women would rise to the occasion to fight the evil which tends to make them articles of commerce. We also hope that our educated young males would refuse to be sold in the marriage market and come forward to choose their partners in life in a fair manner”.
SK:SPS:NC
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