While our society is suffering from a lot of evils, one of them that has hit the society hardest is dowry. Realising the curse of dowry, BAJI Forum, which has been fighting against it for decades, decided to launch a campaign “Anti-Dowry, Anti-Tobacco and Educational Awareness week”. A programme that was part of the campaign was held at Ram Leela Ground, Jamia Nagar in New Delhi on I November.
In his inaugural speech, Mr. Afaque Hasan introduced the forum and made the audience aware of the goal and activities of the forum. He said the forum was established to fight against social evils in Aligarh Muslim University 25 years ago by a group of students, who were worried of social evils. Its activities mainly focus North Indian States such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana and New Delhi.
Delivering presidential remarks, Anand Sarwanan Saraswati said that dowry is an inhuman custom that forces one to show off. There is no source of it in any religion. It crept in human society automatically. Saraswati also criticised the extravagation in the marriage function that forces one to show off and vulgarity. He urged youth to stand against it.
Mrs. Tabassum Siddiqi appreciated the activities of BAJI Forum. She said dowry is a disease that has affected every home. No one is far from it. She said that it’s all because of the society keeping from the Holy Qur’ān and Sunnah. She also appealed to the guardians and parents to educate their children especially girls. She urged everyone to respect women and give their rights.
Mrs. Mamdooha Majid explained the importance of a woman and her role in a society and Islam. She said that the girl is gift from Allah for a family, not a burden. She said it is very unfortunate that nowadays dowry is widely paid but Mehr (a gift for bride) is neglected. She appealed to BAJI Forum to create awareness about Mehr also. She urged parents to educate their children the Qur’ān and the Seerah.
Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas explained the curse of dowry on society. He said that because of dowry and other evils the value of women has reduced. It has given birth to abortion. People kill daughter before her birth. Citing data and statistics, he said it intervenes in the system of nature; and has caused disproportionate numbers of men and women.
Mr. Shamoon Moin also expressed his view on the subject. And he termed dowry as a psychological disease. People indulge in extravagance and demand dowry only for taking pride and show off.