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Accident – Death – Obituary News : Young doctor’s alleged suicide over dowry demands sparks call for awareness, action
Following the tragic death of a young doctor in Kerala, India, who allegedly died by suicide due to dowry demands, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has emphasized the urgent need to create more awareness about dowry in society, particularly among girls. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of women in a state that was once known for its matriarchal society.
Expressing his sadness over the incident, Governor Khan stated, “I feel sad that it is happening in Kerala, a state which used to be a matriarchal society where women call the shots. They inherited the property, and here our girls are becoming so vulnerable…This is not only evil but brutish behavior that you demand money from the girl’s family.”
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also expressed deep concern about the incident and has requested a detailed action taken report from the Kerala police within five days. The commission has urged the police to invoke relevant sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) if the allegations are verified.
In response to the incident, a postgraduate student from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Medical College has been taken into custody. The accused, identified as Ruvaiz, and his family allegedly demanded a significant amount of dowry, including gold, land, and even a BMW car, as a condition for marrying the deceased doctor, Shahana.
Ruvaiz has been charged with abetment to suicide under sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act. Shahana, who was also a postgraduate student in the surgery department of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, was reportedly in a relationship with Ruvaiz, and the couple had planned to get married. However, Ruvaiz allegedly withdrew from the proposal when Shahana’s family couldn’t meet his exorbitant dowry demands due to financial constraints.
Shahana’s relatives have accused Ruvaiz and his family of stepping back from the marriage proposal after their refusal to fulfill the dowry demands. The accused student has been suspended from the college by the principal.
In the wake of the incident, the chairperson of the Kerala Women’s Commission, Sathidevi, along with other members of the panel, visited Shahana’s family. Sathidevi demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, emphasizing that the Commission will seek a report from the police on the actions taken in the case.
The tragic incident has once again highlighted the pressing need to address the issue of dowry in society and protect the rights of women. It serves as a reminder that dowry demands not only perpetuate a harmful practice but also contribute to the vulnerability and potential harm of women.
Efforts to raise awareness about dowry and its consequences must be intensified to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. The involvement of authorities, such as the NCW and the state government, is crucial in ensuring that appropriate legal actions are taken against those responsible for dowry-related offenses.
As the investigation continues, it is hoped that justice will be served and that this incident will serve as a wake-up call to society, prompting necessary changes to eliminate the practice of dowry and safeguard the rights and well-being of women..
