Law on Bride Burning—a Psychiatric Point of View

Bride burning and suicide by young married females has been a focus of attention in the midia during the last few years. It has been discussed across forums resulting in loud protest against dowry and cruelty to young married women. That even in the late 20th century women could bo bartered for money and treated ignominously by their husbands and inlaws has created a wide-spread resentment. A feeling of retaliation developed and an anachronistic law was passed wherein it was stated that "If any wonu I commits suicide within seven years of marriage then the husband or inlaws are considered guilty of abetment of suicide unless their innocence is clearly established. Tais enactment reversed the normal procedure of criminal law where every person is considered innocent unless proved otherwise. The law presupposes the fact that fear of punishment would change attitudes towards young brides and act as a deterrent against cruelty towards married women. This law raises two fundamental issues :—