A BSF Constable Refused Rs 11 Lakh Dowry At Wedding, Instead Took Rs 11 & A Coconut As Token

Patriarchy and misogyny, for ages, have dominated Indian traditions and customs. But a few are trying to break the norms and set a new path of equality.

In Jaipur, a BSF constable refused to accept Rs 11 lakh cash as dowry at his wedding on November 9. The constable, instead accepted Rs 11 and a coconut from the bride's parents as a token.

Setting an example against the evil custom of dowry, BSF constable Jitendra Singh clearly denied the cash being offered to him at the wedding. Initially, the bride's parents were shocked as they thought the baraatis (wedding guests) were unhappy with some of their arrangements, however everyone had tears of joy after seeing the gesture by the bridegroom.

Jitendra got married to Chanchal Shekawat in the city on Saturday.

TOI

¡°I was shocked and initially thought either the family of the bridegroom wanted more money or they were unhappy with the arrangements. Later, we realized that he and his family were totally against the money being offered to them,¡± 59-year-old Govind Singh Shekhawat, father of Chanchal Shekhawat, the bride, told The Times of India.

Jitendra Singh is posted in Chattisgarh.

When contacted, he said, ¡°The day I was told that my wife-to-be had done LLB and LLM and is also pursuing a PhD, I thought she is good enough for me and my family. That day, I made up my mind to not take any dowry and my family thought we will declare this decision to my in-laws on the wedding day itself.¡±

Chanchal is preparing for Rajasthan Judicial Services (RJS). Jitendra said that if she becomes a magistrate, that would be more valuable to his family than money.

BCCL/Representational Image

Rajendra Singh, the bridegroom¡¯s father, told TOI, ¡°She is well-educated and thus we will further facilitate her in her higher studies.¡±

While people like Jitendra are setting a progressive example for the society, a farmer and his 65-year-old mother were arrested for allegedly setting ablaze his four months' pregnant wife over dowry in Odisha's Ganjam district.

The victim has been fighting for her life while her foetus did not survive. Police told the accused had put kerosene on the woman and she was set on fire on October 31.

A case of dowry torture has been registered against the woman's husband and his mother, the police said adding that the investigation is in progress.