By Jiwachha Yadav

Lahan, Jan. 29: Even though voices are being raised to end the dowry system entrenched in the Terai region of the country, the leaders say that people there tie the nuptial knot only when the middlemen negotiate the dowry.
The on-going campaign of “Educate Girls, Save Girls” has not been able to stop dowry system in the Terai.
According to the Hindu culture, Mangshir, Magh, Falgun, Baisakh and Ashad months are considered auspicious for marriage. With the beginning of Magh month (mid-January to mid-February), people in the Terai have begun preparing for weddings.
Human Rights activist, Renu Yadav said, “The process of marriage begins only after the middlemen negotiate the amount/property that is to be provided to the groom as dowry.”
Yadav said that emphasis must be given to inter-caste and caste-based love marriages, in order to eradicate the dowry system.
“Even though the leaders keep on saying that dowry is the reason behind violence against women, marriages are impossible unless the groom’s family receive dowry through the middlemen,” Yadav said.
Men who get married without taking the dowry are often neglected by their families, she added. Yadav said that the dowry system was more prevalent in rich and literate families.
Sunil Sah, an advocate and former coordinator of Women Rehabilitation Centre, Siraha said that social activism and government’s campaign were not enough to put an end to child marriage and dowry system. “The laws relating to these malpractices must be enforced strictly, with the support of social leaders,” he said.
Shyam Kumari Sah, coordinator of Mukti Nepal, Siraha said that the police were also neglecting the transfer of dowry through middlemen.
“Even though there are a number of cases where women are burnt alive and are deprived of citizenship by their in-laws, the police administration does not take any action against them.”
Policemen are often seen enjoying feasts in weddings where the middlemen pass the dowry from bride’s side to groom’s family.
Even though the so-called leaders promise not to receive and give dowry in various social events, they themselves give and take dowry in their children’s marriage, Sah added.
Ram Rijan Yadav, leader of Samajbadi Party Nepal, said, “I had started the campaign against dowry from my own house.” “I and my four brothers got married without receiving dowry but the so-called social leaders couldn’t digest this,” Yadav said.
He said, “Even though the literacy rate and awareness level had increased in the society, the dowry system still exists.”
State 2 Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Suresh Mandal said, “If the ‘Educate Girls, Save Girls’ campaign becomes successful, the dowry system will be eliminated from the society.”
Minister Mandal said that everyone who gave and took dowry should be brought within the legal ambit. Also, unity of political parties and different organisations is vital to eradicate the practice of dowry, he added.
Chief District Officer of Siraha, Gopal Kumar Adhikari, said, “The police administration takes action as soon as it receives information or complaint regarding transfer of dowry.”
Adhikari said that not only the givers and takers, the middlemen who arranged and held negotiations about exchange of dowry would also be punished.