Since we were very young, we have been taught to understand that demanding dowry is an evil practice, that has infested our society for several centuries, and needs to be put to an end.
But despite all the measures that have been taken by the government and various social organizations, the practice still continues to exist today, leading to several tragedies both before and after marriages.
In a recent incident in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, a groom’s demand for dowry angered the bride’s family and folks to such an extent that they retaliated and protested by shaving off his head right there in the venue.
The groom and his family had allegedly asked for dowry merely five days prior to all the wedding arrangements had already been done by the girl’s family. The man had apparently demanded a a motorcycle and a gold chain, and refused to marry the girl without having his requirements met.
The angered family members of the girl, then shaved off the man’s head on the wedding day – after he demanded a gold chain on the spot.
Lucknow: Groom's head tonsured allegedly because he refused to marry the bride, demanding motorcycle&gold chain y'day;bride's grandmother says, "they made these demands 5 days before wedding. He refused to marry after we said we can't fulfil them.Don't know who tonsured his head" pic.twitter.com/VVAkUtnTi7
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 22, 2018
And it wasn’t just the groom. The angered supporters of the bride, took the boy’s father and brother to a nearby park – and tonsured their heads as well.
A police complaint against the groom has been filed by the bride’s family and the matter is being investigated.