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Marriage, considered as a bond between two people for the sake of love and a family, often loses its significance and essence due to traditions created by society and archaic practices. Dowry is one of the biggest issues in the sub-continent, where the bride’s family has to pay a huge amount of money/items for the groom’s family to accept the girl wholeheartedly.
The practice has forever been on in Pakistan and it seems that might continue, but not everywhere in the country. Finally, glimpses of Naya Pakistan were finally seen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the government put an immediate and complete ban on dowries in weddings.
The provincial government, on Wednesday, passed a law where the groom’s family could no longer demand dowry from the bride and her family. If they do so, the offence would be punished with at least 2 months in prison or with a fine up to Rs. 3 Lakhs!
The bill is titled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Marriage Functions (Prohibition of Ostentatious Displays and Wasteful Expenses) Bill 2018. Initially moved by a Jamate Islami representative, the bill was passed and accepted by the rest of the legislature. In accordance, no gift or cash exceeding Rs. 1 Lakh can be given to the groom or his family. Anything above it will be considered as a criminal offence according to the new notion.
Not just dowry, other measures were present in the bill as well. For example, the decoration of houses, streets or other public places where the marriage takes place, must not be lit or illuminated. Furthermore, firecrackers, explosive devices and aerial firing has been completely banned under the law as well. As for loudspeakers, they can only be used indoors.
A few debatable measures were taken as well, such as that during the Nikkah, Mehndi or other ceremony, food will be not be allowed. The family will only serve beverages to the people who attend the ceremony. As for the wedding, a one-dish procedure would be followed, where one dish of gravy, one rice, one salad and one sweet dish would be served to guests – anything more that would also be a compromise to the bill.
If these rules set by the government are not followed, the offenders would face up to 3 months in prison or a fine of Rs. 2 Lakhs (which would tantamount to the wedding expense).
Many are hailing by the historic decision by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while others are of the opinion that the law should not be compulsory, but optional, as many people like to spend lavishly on weddings without any pressure. What is your opinion?
