The initiative to link dowry

Ranchi: The initiative to link dowry-free marriage with social respect should be expedited in Jharkhand. Social organizations and legal experts say that the biggest challenge in cases related to dowry, love marriage, online fraud, blackmail, domestic violence and human rights is access to timely and correct information and assistance. Many times the victim's family does not complain due to stigma, fear or pressure, which makes the problem more serious.

According to experts, consent, legal age, respect and security are the basic conditions in any relationship. Pressure, threat, demand of money, misuse of personal photos, demand of dowry or physical-mental torture in the name of marriage or love relationship is wrong by law. In such cases, the victim should keep the evidence safe and immediately contact the police, women's helpline, cyber cell, district legal services authority or a trusted family member.

The role of society is also important. If panchayats, schools, colleges, families and local institutions promote awareness, counseling and legal information, disputes can be stopped before they turn into violence or crime. In sensitive cases, special attention needs to be paid to confidentiality of victim's identity, fair investigation and humane treatment.