Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan joins hunger strike against evils of dowry
The fast is being organised by various Gandhian organisations, which began at the Gandhi Bhawan here and is meant to create awareness against the giving and taking of dowry.
FollowIn a first of its kind, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has joined a protest called against the practise of dowry organised in the wake of recent tragic death of Vismaya, a young woman who was repeatedly assaulted by her husband in the name of dowry.
The fast is being organised by various Gandhian organisations, which began at the Gandhi Bhawan here and is meant to create awareness against the giving and taking of dowry.
Khan began a hunger strike at 8 am on Wednesday at his official residence and will end it at the Raj Bhawan at 4 pm. He will then join the sit-in protest at the Gandhi Bhawan till 6 pm.
Khan was deeply saddened after several women in the state committed suicide due to dowry abuse, and last month he had promised to work as a volunteer against the evil.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kerala Governor said that the spectre of dowry continues to raise its ugly head in our state which has been globally acclaimed for enviable social indicators like literacy and life expectancy.
"Our beloved state of Kerala was recently in the news for a tragic death due to dowry. It is said that the spectre of dowry continues to raise its ugly head in our state which has been globally acclaimed for enviable social indicators like literacy and life expectancy. Mahatma Gandhi has said any young man who makes dowry a condition to marriage discredits his education and his country and dishonours womanhood," the Governor was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
He further said that the 'Sthreepaksha Keralam' initiative of the government of Kerala also emphasises the need to ensure the dignity of our women by saying no to dowry and related practices.
"Giving and taking dowry are criminal offences which attract imprisonment up to five years. More than that, it is a grave injustice and ignominy to the dignity of women whose contributions to Kerala's growth are widely acknowledged. Respect for women is an ideal that elevates the society to noble levels of social welfare, as advised by our scriptures," he further told ANI.
He urged the younger population to come forward to boldly say no to a marriage that involves dowry. It would go a long way in creating greater awareness and ensuring gender equality and social justice, he said.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCoronaÂ
