Sindh: Restrictions and penalties proposed in Dowry Bill dismissed by cabinet
The panel discussed many issues surrounding the controversial custom of dowry. Photo: AP
(Dunya News) – While Sindh’s cabinet held a formal meeting to discuss the restrictions being proposed for the Dowry bill, most of them were turned down.
Sindh’s Dowry Bill 2017 was presented during a meeting of the Sindh cabinet headed by the Chief Minister of Sindh. The panel discussed many issues surrounding the controversial custom of dowry, which comprises of the bride’s family giving hefty amount of money or items to the groom’s family prior to the wedding. The tradition has for long been criticised for the manner in which it has, in part, allowed the groom’s family to place certain demands for the dowry as a condition for the wedding.
The cabinet meeting presented recommendations for Sindh s Dowry Bill 2017. Photo: Screengrab
The cabinet meeting deliberated on setting a limit for the dowry. It was suggested that the dowry should not exceed Rs. 100, 000. The groom and his family would not, in any case, demand dowry, according to one proposal during the meeting. The girl’s family should not be in any way blackmailed or harassed for dowry.
The cabinet also deliberated on the suggestion that it be made binding on the groom to display the dowry before his family ahead of the bride’s rukhsati – departure for the bridegroom’s place.
The cabinet meeting also suggested that bridegroom’s family should display the dowry infront of wedding guests. Photo: Screengrab
Those found defying the law would be handed a punishment of 6 months and a heavy fine.
However, Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, disliked the suggested recommendations presented by the cabinet saying that implementing these would be difficult.
Shah instead suggested that awareness was the only way to eliminate the dowry system completely from the society. He also stated that such law should be presented where people feel ashamed of even asking for dowry. Many ministers in the cabinet meeting agreed to CM’s suggestions.
For more on this, watch a report by Dunya News below.
