Dowry deaths on the rise in Bangalore

::By Robert Lalmalsawm:: The Silicon Valley of India- Bangalore- may have been regarded as one of the most advanced city in the world but when it comes to dowry, the act of the bride family giving huge amount of money to the groom's family, the city is still strongly leaning the pro-dowry way, if claims of some NGO's are to be believed.

Reports stated that the city witnessed at least three dowry deaths every day. Even though Section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code  imposed severe punishment against any practice of dowry in any form no marriage "can be solemnised' without some form of dowry, claimed an official working for the people who faced dowry harassments.

Police records say some 40 cases are filed every year. But few get reliefs from the courts according to the city-based Vimochana, an NGO that deals with women's issue.

For instance, Manisha, a former bank employee, who had come to the city from Mumbai after a love marriage, is now fighting a dowry case against her husband's family for allegedly harassing her over dowry payments. 

According to official sources in 2004 there were 44 deaths, 39 in 2005, 50 in 2006 and by May 2007 the figure stood at 24. The figure clearly shows that despite education and western liberal thinking the city is at par with its rural counterparts when it comes to dowry.