Kerala govt declares November 26 as Dowry Prohibition Day; all male govt employees to give declaration of not having taken dowry

The Kerala government has declared that it will observe November 26 as Dowry Prohibition Day in the State.

. In a circular issued on July 16, the government also ordered all Heads of Departments of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), autonomous bodies, cultural and other institutions under the government to obtain a declaration from all male govt servants within one month from the wedding of such person that he has not taken any dowry in connection with his marriage.

. The circular was issued by the State by exercising the powers vested under Section 10 of the Dowry Prohibition Act and Kerala Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Rules 2021.

The circular contained the following instructions:

November 26th is to be observed as Dowry Prohibition Day in Kerala.

All the students in educational institutions above High Schools in the State should take the pledge“ not to g ive or take dowry” in general assembly in the respective institution on the Dowry Prohibition Day.

All the Heads of the Departments including Public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, cultural and other institutions under Government shall obtain a declaration from the Government Servant within one month after his marriage stating that he has not taken any dowry in connection with his marriage.

. The Heads of Departments concerned are required to furnish a report on these declaration bi-annually, before 10th of April and October every year, to the respective District Dowry Prohibition Officer .

If such declaration is not furnished within the stipulated time, the District Dowry Prohibition Officers have been directed to submit a report before 15th of April and October .

. Earlier this month a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly had sought the response of the State on the steps taken by it from the year 2004 for effective implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

.Explain why no Regional Dowry Prohibition Officer has been appointed since 2017: Kerala High Court to State government . The Bench had also has asked the State to explain the reasons for non-appointment of Regional Dowry Prohibition Officers as required by Rule 3 of Kerala Dowry Prohibition Rules, 2004.

. The State has now declared that the District Women and Child Development Officer shall function as the District Dowry Prohibition Officer in every District by utilising the service of the staff attached to that office.

Further, the Director of Women and Child Development Department shall act as the Chief Dowry Prohibition Officer for administrating and co-ordinating the work relating to dowry prohibition throughout the state.

. The prevalence of dowry related harassment, abuse and death became a subject of discussion in Kerala after the death of Vismaya, a 24-year-old Ayurveda Medical student who was allegedly killed by her husband after prolonged dowry-related abuse.

.[Vismaya Dowry Death] Husband Kiran Kumar denied bail by Kerala court. Vismaya was found hanging in her husband's house days after she had sent images of her bruised body to her relatives. The case is being investigated as a possible homicide and her husband was recently denied bail in the matter.

. Leaders of all parties, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had strongly condemned the incident with Vijayan releasing a statement that called for reforms to rid society of dowry system.

The Kerala Women’s Commission had also taken a suo motu case in the incident and sought a report from the police.

. In a recent judgement regarding dowry abuse authored by a single-judge of the Kerala High Court, Justice Shircy V, it was stated, " Though so many cases are being registered against husbands and in laws there is no change in the attitude of the society towards married women and family members ."

. [Read Circular]

Kerala govt declares November 26 as Dowry Prohibition Day; all male govt employees to give declaration of not having taken dowry

Giti Pratap

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