Rani Rana, a woman wrestler and brand ambassador of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, has accused her in-laws of dowry and physical harassment in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district.Rana, who married Prince Rana in 2019, alleged that her in-laws had been demanding a dowry of Rs 5 lakh since the day of her marriage. They also allegedly harassed her for not being able to bear a child.
On May 30, 2023, Rana's husband allegedly beat her up and threw her out of the house for not giving him the money. She registered a complaint with the police the on the same day.The police have registered a case against Rana's husband and in-laws under the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Indian Penal Code. They are currently absconding.
Rana's case has highlighted the irony of being a brand ambassador of a campaign that aims to prevent female feticide and promote the education of girls, while being subjected to dowry harassment herself. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of such campaigns in changing the mindsets of people.
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign has said that it is "deeply saddened" by Rana's allegations and is committed to ensuring that she gets justice. The campaign has also urged people to come forward and report cases of dowry harassment and violence against women.
Rana's case shows us that the fight against dowry harassment and violence against women is far from over. It is important to continue to raise awareness about these issues and to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Recent dowry cases in India
Despite being illegal for over 60 years, dowry deaths continue to rise in India. In 2022, there were over 6,700 reported cases of dowry-related deaths, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.
In one recent case, a 27-year-old woman in Delhi was allegedly set on fire by her husband and in-laws for not bringing enough dowry. The woman died from her injuries a few days later.
In another case, a 32-year-old woman in Mumbai was allegedly strangled to death by her husband for not meeting his dowry demands. The woman's body was found in her home with ligature marks around her neck.
These are just two examples of the many dowry deaths that occur in India every year. The practice of dowry is deeply rooted in Indian culture, and it is often seen as a way for the bride's family to show their wealth and status. However, the practice of dowry can have deadly consequences for women.
The government of India has taken some steps to address the problem of dowry deaths, such as passing laws that criminalize the practice of dowry and providing financial assistance to victims of dowry harassment. However, more needs to be done to change the mindset of people in India and to end the practice of dowry once and for all.
