Dowry-related violence remains a major issue in India. Find out why it happens, its impact on women and solutions to end the practice.
Dowry-Related Violence Remains a Grave Crisis in India
The moment we hear the word marriage, we think of music, celebrations, and gifts. But did you know that in India, 18 women lose their lives every single day because of dowry-related violence? These are not just numbers—they are real lives being cut short.
Dowry Is a Crime—But Justice Is Rare
There are strict laws too—like IPC Section 304B, Section 498A, and the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961. The law clearly says: demanding dowry is a crime, harassing a woman for dowry is a crime, and killing her because of dowry is a crime. But the problem is, on the ground, these laws don’t always work the way they should.
Real Stories, Real Pain: August 2025
Take August 2025 for example. In Greater Noida, 26-year-old Nikki Bhati was found dead after being set on fire. Her family alleges she was tortured for dowry. Police have made arrests, but the case is still under investigation. The same month in Bengaluru, a young tech professional also died under suspicious circumstances. Her parents say she too was harassed for dowry. Stories like these hit the news almost every week.
The Data Doesn’t Lie: A National Crisis
And if you think these are isolated incidents, just look at the data. According to the NCRB, around 6,500 dowry deaths were reported in 2022 alone. That means in just 5 years, over 35,000 women have lost their lives. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh report the highest numbers.
Even worse, by the end of 2022, more than 60,000 dowry cases were still pending in courts. And in the cases that did end, only one-third led to convictions. So even reaching the court doesn’t guarantee justice.
Why Dowry Refuses to Die: Four Deep-Rooted Causes
Why does this problem refuse to end?
- One reason is society’s pressure—gifts in marriages are called “tradition,” but in reality, they are demands.
- Another reason is economic stress, with families struggling under wedding expenses.
- Then there’s the slow investigation and trial process, which leaves victims waiting for years.
- And lastly, some argue that misuse of the law overshadows genuine victims, making their voices weaker.
Reform in Motion
Some reforms are being discussed. For example, Kerala has suggested that only dowry takers should face criminal charges, not the givers, since most families give dowry under pressure. This could make the law fairer.
But the real solution lies in changing our culture. If you’re getting married, write “No Dowry” proudly on your wedding card. Talk to your relatives and make them understand that giving or taking dowry is wrong. And whenever you see a couple standing against dowry, support them. Help them. Encourage them.
Because dowry violence won’t end only with laws—it will end when we, as a society, decide to stop it together.
Understanding Dowry-Related Violence in India: Causes, Consequences and Ways to End the Practice
Dowry-related violence remains one of India’s most troubling social issues, claiming thousands of women’s lives every year. Despite strict laws, harassment and abuse continue in many households.
In this section of the article, we will explain dowry-related violence in India in detail, explore its causes and consequences, and suggest practical ways to end the practice, and urge society to embrace equality instead of tradition.
What Is Dowry Violence?
Dowry violence happens when a woman is harassed, threatened, or harmed because her husband or in-laws are unhappy with the money, gifts, or property brought at the time of marriage.
Even though giving or taking dowry is illegal in India, this harmful practice still exists in many families. It may start with constant taunts like “your family didn’t give enough” and can escalate to physical abuse, financial pressure, or even life-threatening attacks.
In the most tragic cases, women lose their lives in what are called “dowry deaths.” For example, if a bride’s family is unable to meet demands for cash or a vehicle, she may face cruelty or be forced out of her home.
Dowry violence is not just about money—it’s about control, inequality, and treating women as commodities rather than equal partners.
At its core, it is a violation of dignity and human rights, and it deeply affects families and society.
What actually counts as “dowry-related violence”?
Any harm (physical, emotional, economic) linked to demands for money, valuables, or property tied to marriage—before, during, or after it. This includes harassment, threats, assault, forced transfers, and deaths within seven years of marriage suspected to be linked to dowry. Under India’s criminal law, dowry death and cruelty for dowry are specific offences.
Why Does Dowry-Related Violence Still Happen in India?
Dowry-related violence still happens in India because several deep-rooted forces push it on — and the numbers show how big the problem remains.
In 2022, official NCRB data recorded over 6,000 dowry deaths, a shocking reminder that harassment linked to dowry can become lethal.
Cultural Norms That Normalize Abuse
First, social and cultural norms keep the practice alive. Many communities treat dowry as a “custom” or a status marker. Families compete to show wealth at weddings, and brides are sometimes judged for “bringing too little.” These norms make demands feel normal, not criminal.
International agencies and women’s groups have repeatedly pointed to these cultural drivers.
Economic Stress Fuels Conflict
Second, economic pressure matters. Weddings are expensive, unemployment or dowry expectations increase family stress, and money becomes a trigger for conflict. When promised gifts or cash don’t arrive, some in-laws use harassment or violence to force payments.
News and government reports link financial strain to many dowry complaints.
Patriarchy and Gender Inequality
Third, patriarchy and gender inequality create the power gap. Women’s lower access to independent income and property makes them vulnerable to control and exploitation.
National surveys show high levels of intimate-partner violence across India, underlining how widespread marital abuse is.
Psychological & Substance-Use Risk Factors
Fourth, psychology and substance-use risk factors help explain escalation: entitlement, control, alcohol abuse, and learned aggression raise the odds that disputes will turn violent.
Research on predictors of domestic violence highlights partner alcohol use and controlling behaviour as strong risk factors.
Weak Legal Deterrence & Social Stigma
Finally, weak deterrence — slow trials, low conviction rates, and social stigma — means perpetrators often face little immediate consequence, and victims hesitate to report.
Improving enforcement, changing social norms, and strengthening women’s economic independence are essential to stop the cycle.
What Are the Consequences of Dowry Harassment?
Dowry harassment doesn’t just hurt—it devastates. Women are physically harmed, mentally broken, and in the worst cases, killed. Some try to escape the pain through suicide, others suffer for years, and a few even inflict or endure fatal decisions abroad. Even when the system responds, delays mean the abuse drags on.
Physical & Emotional Abuse
Dowry harassment often begins with verbal taunts and constant emotional pressure, which can escalate into beatings, confinement, or forced isolation. In Kanpur (2025), a woman reported repeated humiliation and physical abuse from her in-laws, leaving her mentally shattered before she was thrown out of the house.
Dowry Deaths & Suicides
When harassment becomes unbearable, some women lose their lives. In Jamui (Bihar, 2025), 27-year-old Kajal Kumari was found dead, allegedly strangled by her husband over an SUV demand. In Bengaluru, another woman died by suicide after continuous dowry-related pressure from her husband.
Legal Action & Criminal Charges
Victims’ families often file police cases under the Dowry Prohibition Act or Section 80 of the new BNS (dowry death). In Muzaffarnagar (2025), a 26-year-old’s suicide note led to dowry-death charges against her husband and in-laws, showing how harassment directly translates into criminal proceedings.
Social Stigma & Family Breakdown
Survivors often face blame, gossip, or being labeled a “burden.” Marriages break apart, and families suffer reputational damage. In Aligarh (2025), Archana’s leap from a balcony after her husband’s dowry taunts not only injured her but left two families publicly disgraced and divided.
Financial Exploitation
Dowry harassment often drains families of savings, gold, or property. Women are pressured into bringing cash or assets to “settle disputes.” In Ghaziabad (2025), a woman alleged continuous demands for money and luxury, paired with abuse, forcing her natal family into debt to pacify her in-laws.
Misuse & False Allegations
While genuine cases dominate, there are occasional false dowry claims used during marital disputes. Courts and NCRB data note acquittals due to weak evidence or misuse. For example, Rajasthan police (2025) highlighted cases dismissed after investigation, reflecting the complexity of balancing victim protection with misuse concerns.
Delayed Justice & Legal Fatigue
Even when victims file complaints, slow courts weaken outcomes. In Rajasthan (2025), out of 6,192 dowry cases, 1,325 were pending mid-year. Families endure years of hearings, repeated adjournments, and high costs, often leaving them drained emotionally and financially before verdicts arrive.
Reproductive Coercion & Medical Abuse
Women are sometimes forced into abortions, denied medical care, or pressured over childbirth. In Kanpur (2025), a woman was compelled to undergo two abortions due to in-laws’ dowry-linked harassment, showing how control extended to her reproductive rights and health.
Digital Defamation & Cyber Abuse
Harassers increasingly use technology to shame women. In Kanpur (2025), the same survivor reported her husband edited her photos into obscene versions and circulated them online to defame her. Cyber abuse has become a new weapon of dowry harassment, leaving lasting emotional scars.
How Can We End Dowry Violence?
Dowry violence has scarred thousands of families across India. Despite being illegal for decades, the practice still ruins lives and relationships. Every year, women face harassment, abuse, or even death because of dowry demands. But change is possible. Ending dowry violence isn’t just about law—it’s about mindset, community action, and practical support. Here are 10 effective solutions that work when applied seriously and consistently.
1. Strict Enforcement of Laws
Dowry is already banned under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and cruelty or deaths are punishable under India’s new criminal code (BNS Sections 80 and 85). What’s needed is stronger enforcement: faster investigations, dedicated police units, and real accountability for delayed cases. Laws must move from “on paper” to “in action.”
2. Time-Bound Trials
Court delays often discourage families. In Rajasthan (2025), thousands of dowry cases were still pending. Special fast-track courts can ensure timely trials, reducing both victim fatigue and impunity for offenders. Justice served quickly builds trust in the system and deters potential offenders.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns
Campaigns through schools, media, and local communities can break the silence. Ads showing the dangers of dowry deaths or the pride of no-dowry weddings can reset norms. Just like campaigns against smoking or child marriage worked, spreading real stories of survivors and champions can push society to rethink.
4. Community & Religious Leader Involvement
In many regions, community and faith leaders have strong influence. If they actively refuse to attend or bless dowry marriages, or instead celebrate simple weddings, the pressure to conform disappears. Positive role models help change traditions faster than legal orders alone.
5. Empowering Women Economically
Financial independence reduces vulnerability. Women with their own income and property are less likely to tolerate abuse silently. Skill programs, self-help groups, and women’s cooperatives give confidence and bargaining power, ensuring a woman is seen as an equal partner, not a financial liability.
6. Education for Equality
Teaching children early that marriage is about respect, not money, helps. Schools can include lessons on gender equality, human rights, and the illegality of dowry. Educated boys and girls become adults who question harmful traditions rather than follow them blindly.
7. Support Services for Survivors
One Stop Centres, 181 helplines, and 112 emergency numbers must be promoted so women know where to turn. Survivors need safe housing, legal aid, and counseling. Accessible support makes it harder for families to silence women or sweep dowry abuse under the rug.
8. Encouraging “No Dowry” Weddings
Promoting “no dowry” badges, certificates, or public pledges can normalize dowry-free marriages. Some states and universities already reward couples who refuse dowry. Celebrating such weddings in the media helps redefine “prestige” around simplicity and equality, not costly gifts.
9. Transparency in Gifts
If families exchange gifts voluntarily, keeping a written list (as the law requires) helps prevent later disputes. Transparency ensures these gifts aren’t mistaken for dowry, and it protects women when in-laws try to twist facts in cases of harassment or property conflict.
10. Collective Men’s Responsibility
Men must speak up. Brothers, fathers, and grooms have the power to refuse dowry. If more men openly reject dowry and stand against harassment, the culture will shift faster. Ending dowry violence is not a “women’s issue” alone—it’s a responsibility shared by everyone.
✅ Ending dowry violence requires law, awareness, and everyday courage. Each small step—whether by governments, communities, or individuals—creates a ripple effect. Together, we can make sure marriages in India celebrate love and partnership, not money and fear.
Final Words
Dowry-related violence is not just a legal issue—it’s a deep-rooted social problem that destroys lives and families.
Despite strict laws, thousands of women still suffer harassment, abuse, or even death every year because traditions are placed above humanity.
The causes are layered—social pressure, gender inequality, economic stress, and weak law enforcement.
The consequences are devastating, from broken families and financial exploitation to physical trauma and lost lives. But this cycle can be broken.
Stricter law enforcement, faster justice, public awareness, education, and empowering women can together make a real difference.
Practical Advice
If you or someone you know is facing pressure for dowry, these steps can help:
- Save all proof — messages, call records, and money transactions.
- Talk to someone you trust — a relative, friend, or women’s support group.
- Call the women’s helpline 181 or contact the National Commission for Women (NCW).
- If there is physical violence, go to a hospital immediately and get a Medical Legal Certificate (MLC) report.
- Reach out to the Legal Services Authority — you can get a free lawyer.
- Keep a safety plan ready — a backup home, ID cards, some cash, and important phone numbers.
Above all, we need cultural change—where marriages celebrate love and equality, not money and greed.
Ending dowry violence is everyone’s responsibility, and change will only come when society as a whole says: No more dowry.
Read Also: How Caste-Based Violence Affects Rural India
