Bride Burning Research Articles

VIVEKANANDA AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

As the observance of the 75th anniversary of India's Independence comes to a close a stock taking is in order with reference to the dreams cherished by those who first kindled the fire of national awakening like Swami Vivekananda.While drawing the balance sheet between what we achieved and where we lagged, we find that there is a huge deficit in the sphere of emancipation and empowerment of our women constituting almost half of the population. The deficit is manifest in matters of education,health care employment and personal and social security in an ambience of patriarchy.The present paper looks back into the history of early national awakening during late 19th century shaped so majestically by Swamiji through his life and works. A spiritualist social reformer, and the philosopher saint, he raised the issue of women' s freedom from socio cultural bondages, and selfdependence gained through education and outdoor activities. He raised his crusading voice against dowry, child marriage, polygamy and bride burning that was rampant during his time.He considered women as the equal of men in all respects and focused on flowering of their personhood. Women to him had their self -identity and autonomy to pursue the careers of their choice.They were not to be treated merely as wife, mother, daughter or sister but as persons playing an autonomous and active agency role in society. He had before him the examples of his mother Bhubaneswari,Rani Rasmoni, Sarodamoni and above all Nivedita all of whom excelled in their personhood and showed the way to true empowerment of women. This message of Swamiji is no less relevant now than before and has to be decoded to be properly understood by the present generation of women in India.)

Domestic Violence Supporting Felon Behavior in Pakistan in the Context of Criminal Justice System of Pakistan

Women have measured a subject class due to which the incidents of violence i.e. acid throwing, domestic violence, honor killings, structural violence, bride burning (suicide), and gender discrimination against them are common practice in the world but especially in the subcontinent. In Islam, there is no gender discrimination, but despite clear Islamic injunctions, women are being deprived of their basic human rights i.e. education, etc. Due to these Women in the country are facing social, cultural, financial, and psychological tribulations. The government is examining the plight of women like redundant spectators and has not taken necessary remedial measures i.e. increase in women's literacy rate and economic independence to find pragmatic solutions to end the felon behavior. The study will cover personal feelings about gender-based oppression of male counterparts and violations of religion, customs, and traditions.

Epic Woman Stepping into Reality: Depiction of Draupadi with a Feminist Lens with Reference to Three Indian Novels

Lower status of women is a stain on any society. The problem is becoming glaring in India in the wake of atrocities caused against women ‘from womb to tomb’. Even in this twenty first century, the impact of manuvadi ideology is getting evidently felt. ‘A thinking woman spoils everything’ is still the mindset. Maladies like honour killing, bride burning are still gloating over the security of women in the wake of the internalized mindset of patriarchal dictum, viz. ‘A woman does not deserve any freedom’ (Na stri swatantryam arhati). Since time immemorial, she was always taken for granted though she had never remained silent. The depiction of Draupadi in various writings underscores woman’s protest against male dichotomy and her refusal to live by disabling definitions that mark women as inferior.

An Autopsy Study of Medicolegal Aspects of Burn Death among Married Females

Background - Burn injuries are very common cause of morbidity and mortality among Indian populationsspecially the bride burning cases which are related to dowry deaths. The study was aimed to analyze theepidemiology, pattern, cause and manner of deaths to formulate burn the possible preventive strategies.Methods - In present study we analyzed the autopsy done in the department of forensic science & toxicology,Institute of Medical Science, BHU, Varanasi, U.P., India from the period of March 2014 to August 2015. Wereported total 155 unnatural deaths of women who died within seven years of their marriage and out of themtotal 96(62%) cases were due to burn.Conclusion- The most of the cases (51%) reported within 2 to 5 years after marriage and majority (70%)of them happened in kitchen where cooking gas was most common (64%) source of burn. Maximum (35%)case were having total body surface area(TBSA) 51-60% and 92% of victim died in hospital and septicemiawas major (60%) cause of death. Most of the deaths (56.25%) were suicidal in nature. Such bridal deaths aremajor concern toward the society, health agencies and law enforcing agencies.

A Study to assess the effectiveness of self-Instructional Module on Knowledge regarding Laws for Women's Rights in India among people working in selected Private Organization at Mehsana district

In 21st century India women are increasingly being educated and joining more and more working lives this century has brought in its trail a new hope for women. Dramatic changes have happened in the role, ambitions and attitude of women in the last few decades of twentieth century. Women have department from their traditional role of reproducers, mothers and wives only. From a non-entity, they have been able to establish an identity of their own in the modern society, but till they are subjected to different kinds of domestic violence like wife beating‟ bride burning, mental and physical abuse, marital rape, dowry death etc. All these are widespread in our society and women are facing unequal treatment in every field of the society1, 2. According to the statistics held by national crime records bureau the crime against women is committed every 3 min. women are raped every 29 min and dowry death happened occurs every 77 min. Women's rights issues in India: Child marriage. In Indian villages girls 70% are married before the age of 18 and 56% of those girl married bear children before the age of 19. Women's rights issues in India: Sexual harassment. According to statistic only 20% cases are reported3.

Fire Debris Analysis: A Need to Develop Databases

Fire debris analysis is a branch of forensic chemistry which deals with the examination and analysis of fire debris samples in order to detect and identify ignitable liquid residues in them. In addition to arson, fire debris analysis is usually performed in cases of fires of suspicious origin [1]. In addition to this, petrol bombs are used in social or religious riots, and terrorist activities. In a developing country like India, “bride burning” for dowry presents another aspect of such crimes and includes cases of homicidal or suicidal burning which require such examination [2]. Fire debris analysis is performed to determine the presence or absence of ignitable liquids in samples, to identify the chemical composition of ignitable liquid, the class of ignitable liquid, and to establish an association between ignitable liquid residues and its source.

Burn Deaths: An Autopsy Based Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Odisha

Burn is a major public health problem in developing countries. The dowry and related bride burning incidences makes it a bigger challenge in Indian context. Profile of burn victims vary between communities, cultures and regions. To know the socio-demographic profile of burn victims, identify the most vulnerable and to determine underlying cause, this study was taken up in the only tertiary care hospital in western Odisha. This prospective autopsy based study between Jan 2014 to Sept 2015 done in VIMSAR, Burla, included 55 such cases of burn deaths. A majority of 72.8% were females with peak incidence in 21–30 yrs age group. Eighty percentage females were married and 73.33% male victims were unmarried. Most (47.27%) cases were reported to take place in kitchens. All the female burns were within the premises of home. Fall of open flame lamps were the commonest source of fire followed by kerosene stoves. More than 70% of surface burns were detected in two third of fatal burns. The young married females in kitchen using kerosene stoves and flame lamps in rural area are identified as most vulnerable to fatal burn incidences. Specific strategies need to be developed to safe guard them.

A case of homicidal bride burning: An analysis of variables

Burning incidents amongst married women are a major concern in India as they have become persistent throughout all social levels and geographical areas. We report here a homicidal case of 25-years-old homemaker brought to our mortuary after sustaining fatal thermal burn injuries.

Dowry, Its Causes and Consequences: A Sociological Study of Dowry Harassment and Death Cases in Aligarh District of UP

Dowry refers to “the property, money, ornaments or any other form of wealth which a man or his familyreceives from his wife or her family at the time of marriage. Dowry is both a practice and a problem withIndian marriage” (Haveripeth, 2013).The practice of giving dowry was meant to assist a newly-wed coupleto start their life together with ease; however, now it has become a commercial transaction in whichmonetary considerations receive priority over the personal merits of the bride. Dowry system has given riseto many socio economic problems with very serious consequences. Numerous incidents of bride burning,harassment and physical torture of newlywed women and various kinds of pressure tactics being adopted bythe husbands/in-laws‟ pressurizing for more dowry have compelled the social reformers and theintelligentsia to give serious thoughts to various aspects associated with the institution of dowry (Sachdeva,1998).Government of India enacted “Dowry Prohibition Act” in 1961, which was further amended in 1985to control this menace. In spite of this Act, the “give and take” phenomenon of dowry is practiced widelythroughout India, irrespective of caste and class (Grantham, 2002). In many cases, when dowry amount isnot considered sufficient, the bride is often harassed, abused and tortured (Singh, 2005). Dowry relatedviolence and bride burning (dowry death) are only peculiar to our country and beside husband, his kin alsojoin together in persecuting the bride as the dowry and related customs provide a good excuse to them forhumiliating, insulting and even beating up of woman (Haveripeth, 2013)

Can international law protect half of humanity? A new strategy to stop violence against women

Purpose – The Rome Statute, especially Article 7 on Crimes against Humanity, and the principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) apply to widespread violations of human rights that a State fails to prohibit or protect against. Yet far too little attention has been paid to systemic crimes that take the lives of many millions of women and girls every year. The purpose of this paper is to detail a proposal to use international law to hold governments and/or their agents accountable when they fail to protect the female half of humanity from widespread and egregious crimes of violence. Design/methodology/approach – To accelerate the movement to make women's human rights a global priority, it examines: first, expanding the interpretation of the Rome statute, particularly Article 7 – Crimes against Humanity. Second, where necessary, amending the statute to include gender in addition to race and ethnicity. Findings – Seven crimes and their personal, social, and economic consequences are analyzed, and legal remedies are detailed: selective female infanticide and denial to girl children of food and health care; the sex trade and sexual slavery; female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C); domestic violence (from murder in the name of honor and bride burning to acid throwing and battery); rape; child marriage and forced marriage. Originality/value – This paper explores a new approach for use by scholars, attorneys, and human rights activists to end the global pandemic of violence against the female half of humanity by invoking the Rome Statute and/or amending it to protect women and girls. It provides a new legal and sociological analysis.

Role of biomarkers in the forensic investigation of arson mainly bride burning cases - in India

Role of biomarkers in the forensic investigation of arson mainly bride burning cases - in India

Dowry Deaths (bride burning) in India and Abetment of Suicide: A Socio-Legal Appraisal

Dowry Deaths (bride burning) in India and Abetment of Suicide: A Socio-Legal Appraisal

Fatal rescue burns—A case report

An unprofessional rescuer of a burn victim is one who tries to save the victim, in spite of good knowledge of consequences of putting out fire without any safety precautions. Literature on burns sustained while attempting to save victims of thermal burns is limited [1]. A question regarding the classification of the manner of burns sustained by a rescuer while attempting to rescue a fire victim has also been raised [2]. Menezes et al. introduced the term ‘‘rescue burns’’ for such thermal injuries as an option to allow easy tracking and identification of such cases [3]. They opined that the difference between rescue burns, accidental burns, and suicidal burns can have profound ramifications to the family of the injured or deceased rescuer, the insurance company concerned in the case, as well as the judiciary [3]. In India, dowry is a tradition and bride burning a social problem. Hence, cases of thermal burns in newly married women is an investigative challenge and identification of a rescuer can have serious medico-legal implications. Most of the theories put forth on the pattern and distribution of rescue burns are based on non-fatal burns sustained by rescuers. We report a case of fatal rescue burns with a review of the various theories proposed.

Intergenerational Differences in the Concept of Marriage Among Dogra Brahmin Females (Mothers and Daughters)

The present research investigates the intergenerational differences in the concept of marriage among Dogra Brahmin mothers and daughters. The sample of the study consists of 20 mothers and their 20 daughters. Random sampling technique was employed to select the sample from various localities of Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir State). Interview guidelines were used to get in-depth information from mothers and daughters. Results reveal that the concept of marriage among two generation varies. Though the concept differs still the daughters are not ready to change or rebel. They will follow their parents wishes and they know that their parents are not going to accept inter-caste marriage or love marriage though they are aware that many of the problems of Indian Social system like casteism dowry bride burning will be over come. (authors)

Teaching inside-out: Introduction

What if one were a and teaching a class on Hinduism and one's students were all training to become Christian missionaries and had their hearts set on traveling to India to convert so called Hindu hea thens? Are there topics that teachers should avoid when teaching classes in South Asian religions that are comprised of outsiders? Should one dive into Ripley's Believe it or Not type topics that would fuel their missionary zeal such as sati, bride burning, or cross-dressing and erotic bhakti, devotion? Or, should one take a defensive posture and act as an apologist for Hinduism and avoid such topics? Alternatively, what if one were a non-Hindu and the majority of the students in one's class self-identified as Hindu? Should the topics cov ered in the class change if the students were largely insiders? Should discussion of the despicable destruction of Babri Masjid in December of 1992 by right wing Hindus be avoided? Does one have a responsi bility, moreover, to teach Hinduism to students rather than to teach about Hinduism? Should one limit or even shun the use of con

Violence against women in South Asian countries.

In South Asian countries the amalgamation of Buddhist, Confucian, Hindu, Islamic and Christian traditions have shaped the personalities of women and determined their social status. Rigid cultures and patriarchal attitudes which devalue the role of women, result in the wide spread occurrence of violence against women. The family structure, in which the man is the undisputed ruler of the household, and activities within the family are seen as private, allows violence to occur at home. As well as traditional forms of violence such as wife-battering and sexual assault, women in these countries are also exposed to dowry crimes such as bride burning, kidnapping for the purposes of prostitution, and "honour killings". Laws permit discrimination against women and discourage reporting of violent acts. Efforts to remedy this situation must include changes in local laws as well as assistance from the United Nations and the international community.

Kitchen accidents vis-a-vis dowry deaths

The practice of dowry has social acceptance as a part of normal marriage procedures in India. It has become a social symbol indicating status of both parties. Sadly, awareness and education, particularly of younger people and women, has not helped to ease the situation. In fact, families of people who are better educated, more qualified with foreign degrees, etc. have often demanded or given more dowry. The steady increase in the incidence of deaths due to burns in the recent years, particularly involving females, is a matter of great concern to the concerned individual, social workers and scientists, and the law enforcing agencies, in particular. The main cause of concern is the fact that newly married females constitute the majority of such deaths, although, in Indian society, females (housewives) belonging to all age groups have to work in the kitchen. The increase in burn deaths among females suggests clearly that such deaths can not always be attributed to household accidents occurring in the kitchen and may be linked with bride burning or dowry deaths.

Coverage of "Bride Burning" in the "Dallas Observer": A Cultural Analysis of the "Other"

A partir d'un fait divers relate dans le « Dallas Observer » au sujet de la mort d'une immigree indienne dans un contexte de violence domestique, l'A. analyse la notion d'alterite dans la representation mediatique faite par le monde dit « civilise » de l'oppression patriarcale des femmes du tiers monde. Elle s'efforce de montrer que l'article du Dallas Observer a fait de la defunte une « Autre » en presentant sa mort comme une consequence naturelle et inevitable de l'oppression derivant de la culture et de la tradition indienne. L'A., quant a elle, reprend le contexte communautaire de la victime, la perception de la violence domestique dans la communaute et identifie les elements biographiques qui ont fait defaut a la couverture mediatique trop axee sur le sensationnel de la situation

Dowry, bride-burning, and female power in India

Dowry, bride-burning, and female power in India