Reflection on Gender Dynamics and Legal Reforms in Marriage Practices

In earlier times, women faced numerous social injustices, one of which was the treatment of the bride’s family as second-class citizens. The bride’s family was often expected to submit to the groom’s family, sometimes even resorting to acts of humiliation. It was not uncommon for a member of the groom’s family to create unnecessary scenes during wedding ceremonies. One particularly absurd incident highlights this reality. Years ago, during a wedding, the bride’s father was reportedly forced to place his turban at the feet of the groom’s father and beg for forgiveness — all because the DJ had played the song “Main Kya Karoon Ram, Mujhe Buddha Mil Gaya.” Such incidents, while shocking, were unfortunately emblematic of a broader societal norm. Fortunately, the situation has improved significantly. Today, instances of such extreme behavior from the groom’s side are rare. Furthermore, disrespect toward the bride’s family is far less tolerated. This shift can be attributed in part to the implementation of women-centric laws that have aimed to restore a degree of balance within Indian society. However, since the 2000s, the pendulum appears to have swung in the opposite direction. While these laws were designed to protect women from abuse and exploitation, some argue that they are now being misused. Reports suggest that certain women and their families have exploited these legal provisions as tools of dominance and extortion. This misuse is not merely an inconvenience — it has the potential to destroy lives and families. Allegations have surfaced about women becoming increasingly aggressive, abusive, and entitled in their pursuit of legal advantage. For context, it was reported that dowry-related injuries and deaths in India were approximately 6,000 last year — about 0.0004% of the population. While even a single dowry death is a tragedy, this relatively low percentage indicates that the problem may have been significantly curbed. As a result, some believe that attention must now be given to the excesses occurring on the other side of the spectrum. This raises an important question: Have women-centric laws run their course, and is it time to revise them? There is a growing call to make these laws more rational, reflective of modern societal realities, and, perhaps most importantly, gender-neutral. The goal should be to ensure that while women remain protected from genuine harm, the system does not become a mechanism for exploitation.