J-zine - Dowry Deaths

Dowry Deaths

"Normally, a husband sets his wife ablaze over dowry matters..."

I read this startling opener in the newpaper, some days ago. The article was about a man who allegedly had set fire to his younger sister because she was demanding her share of inherited property. According to the report, the wife held her while he poured kerosine over her and set her alight.

What caught my eye was the reporter's laconic note that this is unusual. Not that it is unusual for a woman to die like this. The reporter is well aware that in India, many women die in so called kitchen accidents. The police know full well, that most such accidents are staged. Often the woman is relatively newly married and has not fulfilled expectations in one way or another. The dowry is frequently the cause of disatisfaction. The bride's family has not payed up according to her in-laws' expectations. When the simmer of discontent flares into anger it sadly the bride who feels the heat. Even to the point of being set ablaze with kerosine.

The unusual side of this report that the reporter dryly commented was that the victim was the sister of the accused and not the wife as is normally the case. It is difficult to know what is most shocking; that such things occur at all is bad enough, but that the word normal can be used about it implies an acceptance that is frightening.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way its animals are treated.
-- Mahatma Gandhi

The paradox is that Indians treat animals with respect. That Hindus regard the cow as holy is well known. Jains (followers of an ascetic religion that can be regarded as an offshoot of Hinduism) abhore any action that causes harm to animals; the most orthodox wear masks over their mouth to avoid breathing in insects. Also Buddhism teaches respect for all living creatures. How then can Indians treat their own women so badly?

Lakshmi