GUWAHATI, June 5 ? Dowry being a universal phenomenon in India, Assamese society too joins the bandwagon, reveals a study conducted in Kamrup, Barpeta, Dibrugarh, Dhubri and Sonitpur at the behest of the Assam state committee of All India Democratic Women?s Association (AIDWA).
The study was conducted in the five district involving 234 unmarried women and 237 guardians, with 20.9 per cent of the respondents having held that dowry as a system is common among Assamese people. However 79 per cent of the respondents felt that they can be married without dowry while 20.9 per cent felt that they just cannot.
The survey also revealed that 20.8 per cent of the unmarried girls expect gifts from their parents at the time of marriage. Their rationale is, since ?we will leave this house forever and will never come to demand anything, it is the duty of our parents to give some material things for our personal use,? the respondents, in the study said. While 33.7 per cent of the respondents do not expect any gifts or dowry, 35.89 per cent just expect their parents? blessings.
While 14.37 per cent of the parents interviewed willing to spend Rs 15,000, 49 per cent are ready to spend Rs 16,000 ? 50,000, 9.70 per cent 51,000 ? 1,00,000 and 5.06 per cent above Rs 1 lakh for their daughters? marriage, the study said.
The study further revealed that in 19.83 per cent of the cases the parents have to take loan and thereby bear intense pressure. It also stated that 5.90 per cent of the respondents claimed that dowry is demanded even after marriage. Again, while 8.86 per cent of the respondents admitted that there is the prevalence of dowry in cash, 15.61 per cent held that dowry in ornaments is prevalent.
Another report tabled at the AIDWA convention was related to the census 2001. As per the report the total population of Assam is 2,66,38,407 with male population being 13,78,799 and female population 12,850,608. The male to female ratio stands at 1000 : 932. The female literacy rate is 56.03 per cent.
Satybati Bhuyan, president Sulakha Das, joint secretary and Mira Tamuli, state committee secretary of AIDWA were among those present at the convention.