We often talk about India as a rising global power, yet we are still haunted by a practice that should have been left in the past.
Every year, thousands of families celebrate weddings with hope and joy, only to find themselves mourning a daughter just a few months later. Despite our progress, the shadow of dowry continues to loom over many households, turning what should be a new beginning into a tragic end.
The shocking reality of our numbers
The latest National Crime Records Bureau report for 2024 reveals a terrifying reality: sixteen women die every single day in India due to dowry-related issues. In that year alone, the country recorded 5,737 dowry deaths.
These numbers represent lives lost to harassment, domestic violence, and suspicious deaths shortly after marriage.
While metropolitan cities like Delhi topped the list with 109 cases, the problem remains widespread across states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Even more concerning is that cases registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act saw a 14 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Two lives cut short
The recent stories of Twisha Sharma and Deepika Nagar have once again forced the nation to look at this crisis. Twisha was a 33-year-old woman with an MBA and a successful career in modelling and acting.
She was found dead in her marital home in Bhopal just five months after her wedding to a lawyer. Her family has alleged that she faced constant taunts over dowry, character assassination, and immense pressure.
Then there is 24-year-old Deepika Nagar, who died after a fall from a terrace in Greater Noida. Her family had reportedly spent over a crore on her wedding, providing a luxury SUV, gold, and furniture.
Despite this, her sister alleged that the harassment and demands for more never stopped. These two women, brought up with love and education, were met with cruelty instead of companionship.
The greed behind the tradition
Why is this still happening despite our laws? The practice remains deeply rooted in our social fabric because of a toxic mix of financial greed and a patriarchal mindset. Many families view a bride as a source of wealth for the groom’s household, often demanding luxury items like expensive cars or cash.
There is also immense social pressure on the bride’s parents to meet these demands to maintain their status and ensure their daughter’s supposed happiness. Abuse is often normalised behind closed doors, where women are expected to manage heavy household workloads and endure taunts in silence to keep the family honour intact.
A culture of silence and anger
The frustration over these deaths is increasingly spilling over onto social media. The names of victims like Twisha Sharma have trended online, reflecting a public that is angry and tired of hearing the same stories of greed and violence.
These reactions show that people are demanding quicker justice and more accountability, especially when the accused come from influential backgrounds.
How we can change the future
Ending this menace requires more than just legislation. We already have the Dowry Prohibition Act and Section 80 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which punishes those responsible for unnatural deaths within seven years of marriage. However, we need stronger implementation of these laws and faster court trials.
The real change must be social. We must prioritise the education and financial independence of women so they are never trapped in abusive environments. Families need to stop seeing daughters as liabilities and start rejecting the culture of giving and taking gifts in the name of tradition.
Only by changing our collective attitudes and breaking the silence around domestic violence can we ensure that our daughters can live with the dignity they deserve.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of The Logical Take, a commentary section of The Logical Indian. The views expressed are based on research, constitutional values, and the author’s analysis of publicly reported events. They are intended to encourage informed public discourse and do not seek to target or malign any community, institution, or individual.
