Women & Law

Kanyadan became associated with varadakshina, i.e. the cash or gifts in kind by the parents or guardian of the bride to the bridegroom. It was offered out of love and affection and did not constitute any consideration for the marriage. It was a voluntary practice without any coercive force. But slowly and gradually, the voluntary element has disappeared and the coercive element has crept in which is popularly known in today’s world as “Dowry”.