Campaign against dowry, big weddings launched

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here on Monday that the widely prevalent dowry system in Kerala society was leading to the crass commercialisation of the institution of marriage.



He said that despite the progress made by the State in various fields, the dowry system continued to be a social evil.



Mr. Achuthanandan was speaking after inaugurating the year-long campaign against dowry and ostentatious weddings jointly launched by the Kerala Women�s Commission, the Social Welfare Department and the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board.



The campaign �Sthreedhana Vimukta Keralam; Arbhada Rahita Vivaham� was launched in connection with International Women�s Day on March 8.



�The dowry system leads to various other social issues such as suicide, domestic violence, debt and harassment. Although we were able to do away with many social evils, we have not been able to put an end to the dowry system and the issues related with it. We were able to ensure proper representation of women in our local self-government institutions, but we could not do away with the dowry system,� Mr. Achuthanandan said.



He said that demanding dowry was a cruel and uncultured act. �Asking for the bride�s share of property in advance as dowry is a ridiculous practice, as all children have an equal right to their parents� property,� he said.



Health and Social Welfare Minister P.K. Sreemathy, who presided over the function, said that a series of campaign activities would be taken up in all districts in the State with the support of youth and voluntary organisations as part of the year-long campaign.



�The campaign will focus on the youth. They need to understand that dowry or a luxurious wedding is not the most important thing in life,� she said.