PRESENT-DAY SOCIETY

I have before me The Indian Express of 24 November 1988. On its front page, it is reported that a 26-year-old woman named Pravesh in Delhi was killed by her mother-in-law, Barsa Rani. She poured kerosene over her daughter-in-law and set her on fire—simply because Pravesh had not met the family’s demand to bring ten thousand rupees from her parents’ home. The very next day, The Indian Express (25 November 1988) carried the headline:

Another Dowry Victim

According to the report, another 26-year-old woman in Delhi, Arveen Rana, was killed by her in-laws for the same reason: she did not fulfill their dowry demand. Such news appears in newspapers almost every day. Police call such deaths “dowry deaths.” Because these incidents are increasing, the matter was raised in the Rajya Sabha. According to Hindustan Times (25 November 1988), the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr. P. Chidambaram, gave the following figures:

• 1985: 999 deaths

• 1986: 1,319 deaths

• 1987: 1,786 deaths

This disturbing cruelty reflects a troubling aspect of present-day society. Such incidents suggest that the society we live in can, at times, fall short of the standards of civility expected of human beings. In such circumstances, raising slogans against communal riots or issuing statements of condemnation may amount to little more than a reactive response, without producing meaningful results. For a sensible person, the wiser course is to prioritize safety and avoid confrontation. Even when provoked, one should remain composed. People do not engage in conflict with those acting irrationally; instead, they step back and avoid escalation.