M A I L B A G

Served them right, Pooja!

Pooja’s refusal to accept the greedy groom whose parents demanded more dowry in marriage is appreciable (“Served them right, Pooja!”, editorial, Feb 19, and “No to marriage after ceremony”, news -item, Feb 18). I am reminded of another report in The Tribune when a Ghaziabad girl refused to marry following the demand for dowry. A Ludhiana girl also followed suit.

Social activists and organisations should come forward and extend moral support to Pooja and her family. Also some principled youth should marry Pooja. The anti-dowry law has become ineffective because of the lack of active public cooperation. Here are a few suggestions to discourage dowry seekers.

Dowry seekers should be socially boycotted. The terms of marriage should be settled clearly in the presence of some trustworthy person of the boy’s locality before the final settlement. Post-marriage demands from the groom’s side should be treated as a serious criminal offence and severe punishment should be awarded to the exploiter. Family courts should settle such cases expeditiously.

RAM PARKASH KHURANA, Dharamshala (HP)

II

Pooja has done a real puja of the groom and his company. They deserved it, and they got it. Why the groom did not respond positively was the fact that it being an arranged marriage, he was a toy in the hands of his people.

Pooja is legally wedded now as per the Hindu rites. For remarriage, she must seek the dissolution of the present marriage even though it has not been consummated. She must move the courts for the dissolution of the marriage on grounds of non-consummation of the same.

ASHOK KUMAR MITTAL, Jind

III

Again a young girl has dared to show to society what courageous girls ought to do to tackle the dowry menace. The fight against social evils like dowry should be fought tooth and nail. Pooja, her parents and the village panchayat have given a befitting reply to the greedy parents of the groom and others.

If a groom remains a mute spectator and dares not oppose the wrong doings of his family and friends, he does not deserve Pooja’s companionship.

N.K. GOSAIN, Bathinda

IV

The Tribune is the only newspaper which has highlighted Pooja’s courage in saying ‘no’ to her in-laws even after the marriage because of the dowry demand and the misconduct of the baraatis with her family members. Dowry can’t be checked by legislation alone. To end this social evil, our society needs more Poojas.

YASHPAUL GHAI, Ludhiana

V

The editorial “Served them right, Pooja!” (Feb 19) aptly eulogises Pooja’s courage in refusing to succumb to the undue greed of her baraatis. It rightly said that more and more Poojas should come forward to spurn marriage offers that come with dowry demands as attachments.

Pooja’s action was not a revolt but a revolution. The editorial would have served its purpose if a conscientious and virtuous young man comes forward to marry Pooja.

LALIT BHARADWAJ, Panchkula

VI

I congratulate Pooja for having practised the Vedic swayambar culture: “Aise logon ke saath aisa he hona chahiye”. I also congratulate her school Principal, Roshni Sharma, in the context of the adage: “Guru Gobind donohu khare, kiske lagoon payon/ Balhari Guru apne jinhan Gobind diya milaye”. Having used the report on the front page, The Tribune has enhanced its motto, “Voice of people”.

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur

VII

Once again another bold girl like Nisha Sharma in Noida has come forward to revolt against the dowry seekers. Pooja’s step is an eye-opener to all those who demand dowry. It is time the evil of dowry was rooted out. First, the state governments should strictly enforce the Dowry Prohibition Act. Second, marriages in courts should be encouraged. Third, the atmosphere in courts should be made more conducive for women. And finally, all boys and girls must take a vow not to seek or give dowry. Only then this evil can be eradicated. I also appreciate The Tribune for covering the report on the front page.

SOURABH BAMBA, Ferozepore

VIII

I appreciate Pooja’s exceptional courage to say goodbye to her greedy in-laws. This act has saved her of immense pain which she and her parents would have undergone in future. Boys who want to get married should know their responsibilities towards their brides and understand that they are being used for satisfying the greed of their parents and have been exhibited as spineless puppets.

The need of the hour is not only to have strong brides but also strong bridegrooms who are mature, educated and financially independent. Why can’t such seniors allow youngsters to have a dignified, balanced and happy life?

NEELAM JOLLY GUPTA, Griffith (Australia)

Democracy in Iraq Now that the Shi’ite bloc has won Iraq’s first election since Saddam Hussein’s overthrow, the biggest responsibility for establishing equity and political propriety lies upon its shoulders. Buoyed by the results, it shouldn’t approach for power/ majority with vengeance or subjugation. It must offer gestures reflecting inclusiveness and cooperation to other parties, specifically to the Sunni Arab group whose low performance in the elections will inevitably and ingeniously thrust insecurity upon the Sunnis across the country and increase tensions. Having crossed the first significant stage, i.e. elections towards instituting a democracy almost successfully, all the political parties should now gear up themselves righteously for the second and, perhaps, the most critical and significant stage — drafting and implementing a people-centric Constitution. GAURAV DUA, New Delhi