From ritual to reel: How social media is normalising dowry again

India Today

From banned to trending—dowry is making a comeback on social media.

Transcript

00:002,10 million City, 1,800,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.

00:06Three billion people have $3,000,000 per cent in the 3.0-5.000 per cent in Guggaon.

00:10Scroll through Instagram wedding reels and you'll see scenes like these.

00:13Grooms showing off cars, counting cash, flaunting gold.

00:16All of it presented as celebration as hashtag Shadi Golds.

00:20But here's what the videos do not tell you, this is tower-e.

00:23And behind these viral trends, some women are paying with their lives.

00:28On 23rd August, 24-year-old Nikki Bhatti from Greater Noida lost her life allegedly over

00:38dowry demands.

00:39Her husband Vipin and his family reportedly wanted more, even after the wedding gifts

00:44were given.

00:45This tragedy is a reminder of what these flashy videos hide.

00:48Dowry is illegal in India under the Dowry Prohibition Act, yet social media has made

00:52it aspirational almost.

00:54These post reels flaunting what the law bans, luxury cars, bikes and gold.

00:59It's no longer a hush-hush custom, it's a trend.

01:01Royal wedding, life set hair, Sasarji rocks.

01:04These comments aren't just words, they are social approval.

01:07A crime gets dressed up as culture and endorsed by strangers online.

01:10And every like, every share, makes dowry look normal, even aspirational.

01:15In parts of North India, especially in Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, dowry culture

01:19is tightly linked to caste and community practices.

01:22It has been raised in every village, and the child will be able to take it as long as possible.

01:29Among the Gujars, traditionally land-owning and influential in North Indian villages, gifts

01:34are not just for the bride and groom, they are displayed like trophies of family prestige.

01:38Nikki Bharti, herself a Gujar, came from this world where weddings often become public showcases

01:42of wealth.

01:43Families often compete to outdo one another, offering more expensive gifts, cars or jewellery.

01:47The law is clear, dowry is a crime.

01:58Sections 498A and 304B make dowry death a punishable offence.

02:02Yet India records over 6000 dowry deaths every year.

02:06And now, with social media, this crime has a spotlight.

02:09What used to be hidden inside homes is flaunted for followers.

02:13It's no longer just about giving gifts, it's almost like a competition.

02:16Many families feel they have to match what they see online.

02:19Likes become the new dowry bragging rights.

02:22Women often bear the brunt of this digital culture.

02:24Brides are scrutinised not only by in-laws, but by the wider social media audience.

02:28Comments praising luxury can add pressure, while criticism of gifts is rare.

02:32Dowry is not a tradition, it isn't a trend and it certainly is not entertainment.

02:36It's a crime and it's time we start treating it that way.

02:39Follow our channel for more no-fluff experiences like this one and share this video with as many

02:42people as you can.

02:43Panisha Vikari, thank you for watching The Culture Project On More.

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